Roy Paul Patin Jr.

Dr. Patin was born in Lafayette, Louisiana on August 3, 1942 to Roy Paul Patin, Sr. and Ethel Powers Patin. He is predeceased by his parents and his beloved brother, Jimmy. He is survived by his wife, Margaret and his sister, Dolores Hibbetts . He is also survived by his children, Joshua Douglas Patin and,daughter-in-law, Carmen; his daughter, Ashley Marie Patin; three grandchildren, Joshua Daniel Patin, Noah Johnathan Patin, and Nikki Travis. He also leaves behind nieces Jessica Barber, Jennifer Worfe, Katie Spencer, Emily Keen and nephew, Jess Hibbetts and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Roy was very proud of his Cajun roots and spent a great deal of time reading about the plight of the Acadians driven from Nova Scotia to the shores of America. When he was elementary age, the family moved to Lake Jackson, Texas where his father found work as an operator for Dow Chemical. Roy was actively involved in Boy Scouts and spending his summers on his Uncle Carl’s rice farm He graduated from Brazosport High School in 1961. Upon graduation, seeking his Louisiana heritage, he returned to Baton Rouge and earned his B.S. in mechanical engineering from his beloved Louisiana State University. He went to work for Exxon in the swamps of Louisiana. During that time, he bought a silver convertible Corvette that was a sweet memory for his entire life. He also took photography classes and armed with his treasured 35mm Minolta, he and his best friend, Carlos Harkness, traveled all over the country in their free time, photographing everything they saw. His favorite photography subjects were his nieces, Jennifer and Jessica Hibbetts.

Roy returned to LSU to earn an Master of Business Administration degree He also worked as a teaching assistant and found that it was work he enjoyed. With the encouragement of faculty, he finished his degree and took a job teaching statistics at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA. When he realized advancement in academia would require a doctorate, he enrolled in the Doctor of Business Administration program at Mississippi State University where he also held a teaching assistantship.

In 1976, Roy met Margaret Lucille Douglas in Starkville and they married in December of 1977. At Mississippi State, the couple made many lifelong friends who eventually spread all over the country They enjoyed visiting these friends over the years. After completing his course work and passing his oral exams, Roy accepted a teaching position at Clemson University. The couple set out on the adventure of moving to South Carolina with their four cats and great hope for the future. Roy worked diligently on his dissertation and Margaret bought a typewriter Together they completed the last requirement of his degree. His dissertation on credit union behavior became the foundation of his publishing career. He was awarded the Doctor of Business Administration degree in 1980,

That summer, the couple returned to McNeese State University and eventually welcomed their children, Joshua (1981) and Ashley (1985). Roy served the university in many ways, including as Chair of the Finance Department. He was most proud to serve as his son’s Cub Scout Den Master and an instructor in the catechism program at Our Lady Queen of Heaven.

In 1992 the family moved to Wichita Falls, Texas where Roy became the Bridwell Distinguished Professor of Finance at Midwestern State University. He chaired may committees and was particularly happy with his work on the charitable giving campaign. In the course of his academic career, he received several awards, spoke at conferences, and was quoted in articles, but he was most proud to be named the Hardin Professor in 2001 Roy loved teaching and poured himself into it and the faculty and staff at Midwestern State became his community. Roy was also humbled to serve as an Elder of Fain Presbyterian Church.

In 2014, Roy and Margaret retired from their teaching positions and moved to Tyler, Texas where they lived on a small lake surrounded by the large trees that reminded them of their childhoods. Unfortunately, dementia made his life much smaller than expected. Roy will be remembered for his faith, his kindness, humble attitude, and his sense of humor in all things.

A chapel memorial service for Roy will be held Friday, October 27, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Hampton Vaughan Crestview Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 1917 Archer City Highway, Wichita Falls, Texas 76302.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hamptonvaughancrestview.com for the Patin family.