John L. "Pat" Hand, 82, of Olney, passed away on Monday, December 14, 2015, at his residence at Brookstone Estates of Olney.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, December 22 at Richland County High School’s Sliva Auditorium, 1100 E. Laurel Street in Olney. Graveside services in Haven Hill Cemetery in Olney with Rev. David McNabb officiating.

Pat was born on August 21, 1933, in Concord Tenn., the son of John Love Hand and Julia Huffman Hand. His parents preceded him in death.  Pat graduated from Farragut High School (Tennessee) and from Milligan College (Tennessee). Pat also earned a master's degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.  He married Alice Katherine "Katie" Colbert, whom he met in college, in 1954. Katie preceded him in death in September 2006.

Pat was a lifelong educator and coach. Coach Hand started his coaching career in Cisne, coaching basketball and baseball. Hand then moved to Flora and coached football, basketball and tennis. He then moved to Olney and coached football and track and field. Coach Hand was assistant head coach/defensive coordinator for two of the best teams in Southern Illinois history: the 1966 undefeated Flora Wolves team and the 1972 Olney Tigers conference champion. Coach Hand was referred to by his players as "Coach Hand Sir," which still holds true to this day.

While teaching in Olney, Coach Hand was the Driver's Education instructor and taught many hundred students the life lesson of driving a vehicle safely. One of Pat's favorite expressions  was “Now you have been ‘Hand trained.’”

Pat retired from coaching, but his love of the game led him to be a football official and he called several state playoffs games.

Pat was active in the community, serving many years in the organizing of Veterans Day parades. Pat served honorably in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and had a great love and respect for the men and women in uniform.

Upon his retirement from teaching at East Richland High School (Richland County High School), Pat was a part-time instructor at Olney Central College.

Pat enjoyed aviation and held a multi-engine rating and several instrument ratings. He was a member of Elm Street Christian Church and various civic organizations through his life. Pat never met a stranger and always had an encouraging word to all he met along his way.

Pat is survived by his son, John Michael (Jean) Hand, of Ft. Myers Florida; granddaughter, Sheila Hamlin; great-granddaughter, Lauren Hamlin-Chulka, of Livington; sister, Marjorie Price, of Lenior City, Tennessee; and a nephew, Jim Price, of Greenville, South Carolina.

At Coach Hand's request, memorials may be made to Richland County High School football program or to donor's choice.

Olney Daily Mail (IL) obituary & photo - December 16, 2015