 He also received his master's degree from Shippensburg University.He married Patricia (Compton) Patrick and they had one son, Burton DeWayne Patrick, Jr.

A Vietnam combat veteran, from 1972 to 1973 Patrick served at Fort Campbell, Kentucky as deputy Brigade Commander of the 101st Airborne Division's 1st Brigrade and later advanced to Commander of the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry.He also served as assistant division commander for the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea.