When the Fairfax Rebels football team beat the Woodson Cavaliers last fall, Fairfax senior and football player David Williams wouldn’t forget what L. Patrick "Pat" Laing, Fairfax High School’s athletic director, did to celebrate the victory. It was raining, and Williams was on the sidelines, engrossed in the game. As soon as the game ended, Williams saw Laing jumping up and down with his umbrella, looking like "a kid."
"He was a good man. He was enthusiastic about Fairfax," said Williams . "His passion for the school, his commitment, are irreplaceable."
Williams was one of hundreds attending a funeral on St. Patrick’s Day to honor Laing, beloved husband, father, coach and mentor. Over 300 family, friends, parents, colleagues and students flooded Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home to celebrate the man known for his dedication to his family and to Fairfax High School, where he served for over 30 years, most of it as athletic director.
"This man touched so many hundreds of people. Let that be our prayer today," said the Rev. Richard Martin, minister to Laing and his wife, Cathy.
To Laing’s daughters, Katie and Sara, Martin pointed out the number of people in the community who came to honor their father.
"Your dad touched these people, and because he touched them, they grew," Martin said.
LAING, 56, grew up in the Washington, D.C., area, graduating from Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington in 1965. A member of the O’Connell Athletic Hall of Fame, he excelled in both basketball and baseball. After graduating from the University of South Carolina, he taught physical education at Bren Marr Park Elementary before moving to Fairfax High School.
At Fairfax, Laing, a resident of Burke, impacted the lives of hundreds of students and peers. His friends and colleagues recalled his upbeat and pleasant demeanor and his sense of humor.
"He’s the kindest person. He genuinely loved people. Coaches from other schools would say he would make them feel welcome," said Ed Tabish, who coached basketball and taught special education at Fairfax High School for 28 years.
Throughout the time that Tabish knew Laing, Laing would visit Tabish’s classroom and talk casually with the students.
"The way he interacted with students … He made everyone feel special, which is why there are so many people here today," Tabish said.
Another former colleague of Laing’s, Drew Sheldrake, remembered Laing’s support of the coaches. For two years, Sheldrake was an assistant football coach at Fairfax.
"Pat was a great man. He loved kids. It was all about the students at Fairfax. Students came first. He supported them any way he could," Sheldrake said.
FAIRFAX SOPHOMORE Joe Britt remembered how Laing would greet students in the hallways and wish them luck if they had a game that night or that weekend.
"He was always in a good mood. He was curious about every sport," said Joe.
Although Laing's sudden death surprised all who knew him, he died doing something he loved. Laing passed away after falling into a diabetic coma on March 13 while finishing up work at Fairfax High School.
"We’ll miss you," says the Fairfax High School sign on Old Lee Highway.