Patric DeMont Flannigan is the son of Fred Flannigan and the late Wanda Flannigan. Raised in a faith-filled and loving home along with his two older brothers, Evan Pritchett (Michelle) and Brandun Flannigan (Marguerite); and his little sister, Jessica (Melvin), Flannigan learned the benefits of being a selfless and productive citizen. Patric grew up as an avid sports and music lover so he couldn't wait to join the Camden Fairview Cardinals band and football team when he made it to middle school. However, after serving as a starting lineman and a team captain throughout middle school, Patric stopped playing to help at home after his mother had her third brain surgery.

“It wasn't anything that I feel like I deserve credit for doing,” Patric states. “My mom never asked me to quit playing football probably because she knew how much I loved it. She deserved the world and I hated seeing her down. I saw my brothers sacrifice to take care of my mom, my sister, and me. My aunts and uncles did a lot to help us out during those times too and I’m forever grateful to them. I just wanted to do my part. I wasn’t old enough to work but I could do some things around the house at least.”

Patric remained a member of the Camden Fairview band which led to him being able to march in the 2005 Presidential Inaugural parade in Washington D.C. After graduating in the top 10 percent of his class in 2007, he went on to earn a band scholarship at Southern Arkansas University. There, Patric joined Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity. He also co-founded SAU’s Digital Media Production group, worked as a driver for the Upward Bound Program, and participated in many community service projects. Patric graduated from SAU with a Bachelors in Mass Communications and a minor in psychology in 2011.

After spending a couple of years dabbling in grad school and working different jobs, Patric got his first opportunity to work a job related to his major when he accepted a position as a staff writer for the Camden News and was tasked with covering the county beat. In 2014, Patric was selected as the WEHCO Media Employee of the Year out of a pool of more than 500 employees across 6 states.

“It was God’s timing,” Patric said. “I was at a rough place in my life when that happened and I was burying myself in my work as a way to escape. I took my job seriously because it was another way to serve the community. God knew what I needed at that time. He surrounded me with people that were more like family than they were like colleagues.”

Patric went on to win several Arkansas Press Association awards as a writer and eventual Sports Editor over his eight years with Camden News where he had the opportunity to interview one of his childhood role models, Nolan Richardson.

In the spring of 2021, Patric had a conversation with a friend that encouraged him to look into education. After heavily weighing the options Patric decided to take the leap and now works as a Yearbook, Journalism, and English teacher at his alma mater.

“My mom was an educator for 26 years before having to retire due to illness,” Patric explained. “We had lost her right before the pandemic hit its peak in 2000. I remember the joy she had being a teacher. I remembered how her voice would change from nice and sweet at home to serious and intimidating when she was at work. I also remembered how a lot of her former students would approach me and tell me how she would bring food or clothes to them and push them to be the best they could be. My friend told me that it was a need for educators and I guess it just kinda weighed on my heart.”

Patric was raised in church spending his youth as a youth superintendent and usher at Whitest Chapel Baptist Church. Now as an adult, he attends Macedonia Baptist church where he plays the drums and serves as a willing participant to help with any youth projects. He believes in treating everyone with respect and love.

“You never know what someone is going through,” Patric explained. “You may be someone's only encounter with a follower of Christ so we have to represent Him right. Open critique is encouraged but it's important to be approachable and accept criticism as well. Love is still the bottom line.”

In addition to being a school bus driver, he is a Ward 3 Alderman and the president of the Camden Juneteenth Planning Committee. He served as a member of the African American Historical Commission of Camden and is a co-sponsor of the Gentlemen Excelling Now for Tomorrow’s Success mentor group. In his spare time, he works as an amateur photographer, playing the drums at Macedonia Baptist Church or DJing. Patric says his greatest achievement is being a family man. He enjoys spending time with his soulmate Ebony and their daughter who he calls his boss, Kaitlyn.

“I haven’t accomplished anything, it’s always been God,” Patric shared. “I’m a witness that his grace and mercy are sufficient and that He will make a way out of no way. He doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies whom He calls. I’m thankful to accept any task that comes my way no matter how uncomfortable it might make me because that just leaves room for God to step in and show out. He gets all of the glory. He’s been good to me. I have the best family in the world and I get to do a job that I love in the city that I love. I can’t praise him enough.”