Patrick Joseph Sullivan, 69, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, December 1, 2019. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama to Jerry Joseph Sullivan and Loraine Sullivan on January 18, 1950. Pat graduated from John Carroll High School in 1968, and went on to Auburn University where he graduated in 1971. He was the first Heisman Trophy winner from the state of Alabama in 1971. After several years in the NFL, he returned to Birmingham to the private business sector. At the age of 36, Pat left the private sector to answer his calling to mentor and empower young men through the game of football. Pat began his coaching career at Auburn University. He became the head coach at TCU in 1992. From there he coached at UAB and ultimately at Samford University where he was head coach from 2007-2014. After retiring from coaching in 2014, Pat served at Samford University as a Special Advisor to the President. Pat served on numerous boards including the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB. He was most excited about the newly formed Sullivan Survivorship Program at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB, a program dedicated to offering survivors of head and neck cancer multi-level, specialized and personalized approaches to recovery and survivorship. Pat was a man of faith and integrity. He was dedicated to enriching the lives of those around him. He selflessly loved the Lord, his family, and Jean, his wife of 50 years. Everyone who knew Pat knew his warmth, kindness, and exemplary positive spirit. Those traits and strength of character had a positive effect on so many friends and acquaintances. He offered love and encouragement to everyone he came in contact with. He viewed life with a grateful heart despite his health issues. Pat was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Joseph Sullivan and is survived by his mother, Loraine Sullivan, his wife, Jean Hicks Sullivan, children Kim Silliman (Chip), Kelly Pankey (Tripp), Patrick Sullivan (Claudia), grandchildren Alex, Jay, Taylor and Lucy Pankey; Mallory, Joseph, John Michael and Claire Sullivan; sisters Karen Brannum (Steve) and Connie LaRock (Joe), and brothers Joe Sullivan and Bill Sullivan (Palma). The family greatly appreciates the loving support of Darryl Dubose, Roderick Gardner, and Lawon Layfield.
A celebration of life will be held at Church of the Highlands (Grants Mill Campus) on Friday, December 6, 2019, at 1:00 pm. Visitation will precede the celebration at 12:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to The Sullivan Survivorship Program at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB, Samford University Athletics, or the charity of your choosing.
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