Former Sheridan resident Dr. Pat Cummings, 56, died Saturday, July 11, 2009, near his home in Ponte Vedra, Fla.

A memorial service is 7 p.m. on Friday, July 24, at the Wyo Theater with the Rev. Ron Stolcis officiating.

Born Dec. 17, 1952, in Sheridan to John and Ivy Cummings, he attended Holy Name School, Sheridan High School, and Sheridan Community College.

Dr. Cummings graduated Pacific University's College of Optometry, and worked in a private group practice in Sheridan from 1977 to 2003.

He was a consulting optometrist at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Sheridan for more than 20 years and served as the American Optometric Association's 81st President from 2002 to 2003.

In 2003, he assumed duties as vice president for professional affairs with Johnson & Johnson Vistakon in Jacksonville, Florida.

His interests included skiing, outdoor sports, and carpentry, though his passion in life was for building and flying airplanes. He began studying for his pilot's license as a teenager, and became involved in building airplanes in his twenties. He would go on to build three airplanes of his own, and become a member of the Aerospace Medical Association. He was recognized by several civic and professional organizations for his dedication to his profession.

Sheridan College presented the Golden Opportunity Outstanding Alumni Award to him in 1998.

He was recognized twice as the Wyoming Optometrist of the Year and as the Great Western Council Optometrist of the Year in 2000.

His humanitarian efforts included the Healthy Eyes Healthy PeopleŽ program, through InfantSEEŽ, and the Patrick Everet Cummings Memorial Scholarship, which he created in honor of his late son.

Dr. Cummings was preceded in death by his father, John Cummings, and his son, Patrick Cummings.

Survivors include his wife Becky; mother Ivy Cummings; son Josh Sharp; daughter Abby Sharp; brother Michael Cummings; sister Mary Cummings Talaga; and one granddaughter.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may benefit the Sheridan College Foundation, Dr. Patrick Cummings' Scholarship Fund, PO Box 1500, Sheridan, Wyoming, 82801.

The Sheridan Press - July 23, 2009.