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Meet Joe Patton...
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Mom and Dad
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Raised in Kansas, I learned the importance of
faith, family and freedom from my parents. My Dad worked first as a
draftsman and later as an electrical engineer while Mom worked outside the home to make ends
meet for our family of six. Having learned by example, I juggled
three jobs while attending Washburn.
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| Intrigued From The Beginning |
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Cindy walked into a Washburn University
classroom and I was totally captivated. I was intrigued particularly
with her hair, “done up” on top of her head. I immediately seized
the opportunity and asked her out. Years later, I finally asked why
she never
did her hair that way again. She explained it was hot that afternoon, and she
just threw her hair up and pinned it seconds before walking into the room.
Though it was love at first sight, it was seven years before I popped the
question. Fortunately for me, she said yes!
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Cindy
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never foresaw that after marriage our free hours would be filled
with soccer: two practices a week for each of our four children, and
three Sunflower soccer games each Saturday during the season. I got
a call early on that said, “Your son can’t play soccer . . . unless
you want to be coach.” I volunteered to be the coach, but had to
quickly learn the rules before Saturday! Last fall we attended my
youngest son’s last high school soccer game. As we were thinking
about all those years, I thought, “Wow…a lot of games, a lot of
quality time. That’s family building the American
way.” |
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Matt: Now
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Matt: Then
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Building a healthy family takes effort.
For example, years ago I was trying to figure out some way to
remain close to my lovely daughter, who was soon to be a teenager. Boys
are easy. Get out the basketball to shoot a few hoops, or take them
camping or fishing.....But a girl? I decided to take piano lessons
with her. She went on to play classically and sing opera. I’m afraid
I can still only bang out “chords” on those ivory keys. But I would
not have traded a minute of it for anything in the world. My
daughter, now an adult, is the most beautiful singer I have ever
heard. It warms my heart to listen to her voice.
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We
not only raised four children but continued to be active in more
church and civic organizations than we have room to list. I have
served you as precinct committeeman, Treasurer of
the Shawnee County Republicans, Chairman of the 2nd District
Republican Party and now as a member of the Kansas House of Representatives 54th district. I learned what a great community we have here,
filled with wonderful, caring family and friends. I love people, and
lively conversation. I love to get together with friends over coffee
and just chat.
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Our Family
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What else do I like to do? I started and
continue to operate a successful business here in Topeka since the
early eighties, which makes you very practical and gives one a lot
of common sense. For example, I understand what it means to meet a
payroll. I know money doesn’t grow on trees. I understand how jobs
are created.
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Campaign
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