A Hero to the End
As a high school athlete, he was a leader; as a student, he was a hard worker, and as a Marine, he always put everyone else first. Including donating a kidney after his untimely death.
Patrick was born in Midland, Texas, on January 28, 1987, to Carole and David Wayland. He grew up in Midland, where he was active in little league baseball, youth soccer, church league basketball, and various other church activities. He attended Midland High School, where he played both varsity football and basketball. He was an academic letterman and a member of MOAS and the National Honor Society during high school. Patrick was reared in the First Presbyterian Church, where he was an active member of their youth program. In addition, he participated in many church activities, including VBS, Sunday school, youth choir, and countless mission trips. He graduated high school in 2005 and attended Texas Tech University for one year.
In 2006, Patrick received a Congressional Nomination and accepted an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. During his four years at the Academy, Patrick developed many new friendships with fellow Midshipmen and their families from around the country, which continue to this day. He excelled at the Academy and served as Company Commander (21 Company) his senior year. He graduated from the Academy in May of 2010 with Honors and a Bachelor of Science in Economics. He was also awarded his Commission as Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps.
Patrick attended TBS (The Basic School) in Quantico, Virginia, for six months and completed the skills required of a rifle platoon commander in March of 2011. He was transferred to Pensacola, Florida, and assigned to Marine Aviation Training Support Group. In his second week of training, he suffered a cardiac event during swim training and stopped breathing. He was pulled from the pool immediately and received CPR before being transported to a naval hospital. Due to the lack of oxygen to his brain, he was later pronounced dead.
Patrick had made clear he wished for his organs to be donated in the event of his death and was kept on life support until that was possible. A doctor treating Patrick discovered Sgt. Jacob "Jake" Chadwick, a fellow Marine in need of a kidney stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA. Chadwick had severe kidney disease and was undergoing dialysis. Patrick was able to give this young Marine a second chance at life. In addition, several other organs were donated to civilians in need.
Patrick is survived by his parents, Carole and David Wayland; two sisters, Meagan and Lisa; and an abundance of friends who wish to continue his legacy. The Patrick Wayland Memorial Golf Tournament began a year after Patrick's passing and continues thanks to the family and friends who love and miss him.