He was born in Redmond on July 29, 1956, the son of Chuck and Peggy Lafferty. Pat attended Umatilla High School, Blue Mountain Community College and lived on South Hill in Umatilla for the last 30 years. Pat was reunited with his high school sweetheart and married Jody Lafferty on April 24, 2011.
He spent his working career for 38 years with the Union Pacific Railroad as an engineer. But his true passion was his civic duties as coach. He served 13 years on the Umatilla School Board and was mayor of Umatilla since 2011. He loved his town and spent countless hours trying to make it a better place. He established and coached many youth sports programs for over three decades. Pat believed sports did more than just “keep kids off the streets.” He believed sports taught kids discipline, responsibility, self-confidence, sacrifice, accountability and the lessons that are essential to becoming productive citizens.
He was a pillar of his community and touched the lives of hundreds of youth.
He was survived by his wife, Jody; brother, Mike; daughter, Katlin; sons, Leeland, Connor, Mason and Gabriel; grandchildren, Tristen, Hunterlynn, Jaxson, Jagger, Kensie and Sean.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 1 p.m. at Clara Brownell Middle School in Umatilla.
Please send condolences at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, Oregon is in care of arrangements.
