Patricia "Pat" A. Stoer, 59, of Lakeland, FL, passed away peacefully while surrounded by her family after her long battle with cancer on Friday, July 2, 2010 at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, FL. She was born on Jan. 9, 1951 in Hazard, KY. Pat grew up in Leesburg, FL where she graduated from Leesburg High School and soon after attended Lakeland Business School in Lakeland. Pat was an avid volunteer in the Polk County School System receiving Volunteer of the Year numerous times. She then worked at Lake Gibson High School as a secretary and currently was athletic business manager. During her time with Lake Gibson, Pat also served as Athletic Booster Club President. Pat was a member of the Polk County Charter Review Committee, proud member of the Gator Nation and a member of the Varsity Booster Club for the University of Florida. She attended Parkview Baptist Church in Lakeland. Pat was preceded in death by her father, Roy Howard and her step-father, Jack Dye. She is survived by her husband, Rick Stoer of Lakeland; daughter, Ashley (Aaron) Kent of Lakeland; son, Ricky (Kourtney) Stoer of Ocala, FL; mother, Martha Dye of Gainesville, FL; brothers, Roy (Angie) Howard of Kansas City, MO and Wendall (Sharon) Howard of Athens, GA; sisters, Mary Jo (Bob) Crews of Deltona, FL and Janie (Mike) Cartledge of Deltona, and also numerous nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 9, 2010 the Abundant Life Church in Lakeland, FL, with Pastor Steve McGee from Parkview Baptist Church officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to: Shands Cancer Hospital's "Garden of Hope" in Gainesville, FL at www.shandsgiving.org; and/or Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee, FL at www.gktw.org. Milam Funeral and Cremation Services, 311 South Main Street, Gainesville, FL 32601, (352) 376-5361.

Source: The Daily Commercial; Wednesday, July 7, 2010

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