Pat F. Moran

Pat F. Moran was born on November 16, 1936 to Horace and Gladys Moran. His childhood was spent in a number of small Wisconsin towns, his family eventually settling in West Salem. Pat grew up under the athletic tutelage of Horace, who also served as his coach for baseball and basketball. Pat excelled at both sports, ultimately becoming the highest scoring basketball player at West Salem High School, a record still held to this day! He also led the basketball team to two undefeated regular seasons during his junior and senior year.

Pat enrolled at Carroll College (now Carroll University), where he met his future wife, Judy. During his time at Carroll, Pat was able to accumulate 8 athletic letters in baseball and basketball. After graduation, Pat was hired by the Waukesha Public School Department to teach middle school math at Central Middle School and eventually went on to become a Guidance Counselor when Horning Middle School opened. Pat was beloved by students and teachers alike for his care, patience, and kindness, qualities that kept his students coming back to visit him often. Pat even continued to meet with students (now friends) from some of his first classes up until his last days. After 37 years in education, Pat retired in 1996.

Pat and Judy raised four children in Waukesha: Kelli, Kerri, Michael, and Patrick, where they lived on Estberg Avenue for over 30 years. Their lives were filled with going to their kids sporting and musical events, serving as a basketball official, being involved with social clubs and the teachers’ association. During his summer “off” time, Pat spent his summers in various capacities from working at Godfrey Company to painting houses. Along with his children and grandchildren, Pat was also blessed to live long enough to see the 4th generation in his great-grandchildren!

Although outwardly sociable, Pat preferred to be out of the spotlight, enjoying walks with Judy, golfing with friends, reading a good book, and spending time at his cabin in the Northwoods. He was also quite a music aficionado, passing along this love to his children; as well, he spent many evenings dancing with Judy in the “town square” in The Villages, Florida. While he enjoyed a broad and eclectic range of music, from big band to rock and roll, his favorites were always Waylon Jennings, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Little Richard!

Perhaps most important in Pat’s life was the day in 1978 when he was invited to Waukesha Bible Church to hear a visiting speaker, and in so doing, gave his life to Jesus Christ. That decision changed the trajectory of his life and that of his family, who then began attending the then-new Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, growing in their love for, and understanding of, God’s Word. Both Pat and Judy continued their involvement in Elmbrook until their last days, with Pat especially enjoying Doug Schoen’s Bible Class on Sunday mornings.

Pat will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is preceded in death by parents Horace and Gladys Moran, and his wife Judith Moran (Johnson). He is survived by siblings Michaelee and Tom, his children Kelli, Kerri, Michael (Kara), and Patrick (Colleen), six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be at 10:00 AM at Elmbrook Church, 777 S. Barker Road Brookfield, WI 53045 on Saturday, September 6, followed by the memorial service at 11:00 AM and a light lunch at noon. Gifts in Pat’s honor can be made out to Angels Grace Hospice in Oconomowoc.