ONALASKA ?Çö Patrick Coburn Ford, 64, of Onalaska died Sunday, May 16, 2010, at his residence.

A celebration of his life for family and friends will be from 10 a.m. until noon Saturday, May 22, in the Cochran Funeral Home Onalaska Chapel. It will be a time for remembrance and fellowship.

Patrick was born on Oct. 22, 1945 in Anaconda, Mont., the son of Phillip M. Ford and Betty Lou Coburn Ford.

He began his professional career in the U.S. Army, serving four years as a combat surveyor. Once honorably discharged, Pat completed his undergraduate degree from Winona State University in 1971. He promptly moved to Texas, where he taught industrial technology classes (woodworking and drafting) in the Beaumont Independent School District for 26 years. As an example of his professional competence and unyielding desire to help his students, Pat was the two-time Outstanding Industrial Arts Teacher of the Year for the Southeast Texas Region (1974 and 1990).

His desire for constant self improvement led him to earn a master of science degree from the University of Texas ?Çô Tyler in 1993. Pat retired from teaching in 1998 and began his well-deserved retirement.

During the course of his life, Pat constantly gave back to his community. He has extensive experience as a Little League umpire, a soccer coach and referee, and was the tennis coach at French High School. Additionally, Pat was a certified water safety instructor, teaching swimming lessons to both children and adults alike. While teaching at French, Central and West Brook high schools, Pat' voice was heard far and wide as the public address announcer at home football, baseball, basketball and powerlifting contests for 15 years. Further promoting school spirit, Pat was also the leader of the mascot group for French High School known as ""The Herd.""

Beyond athletics, Pat was also an ordained deacon at Woodland Baptist Church as well as a youth church camp counselor, where he taught swimming, canoeing, camping and hiking.

Harkening back to his days in the service of our great nation, Pat was also a liaison officer for the United States Air Force Academy, where he recruited, screened, and counseled potential cadets during the rigorous admissions process.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda Ford of Onalaska; son, Major Jason Ford and wife Brandi of Montgomery, Ala.; his grandchildren, Alexandra Ford and Adam Ford, both of Montgomery, Ala.; by his sister-in-law, Patsy Hammock of Onalaska; nephews, Tommy Ager and wife Francis of Onalaska and Brad Ager of Overland Park, Kan; his great-nieces, KayLeigh Ager and Kara Ager, both of Onalaska; adopted parents, Joyce and Jim Crittenden of Beaumont and numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family members.