JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—Services will be held here tomorrow for J. Pat Cummings, OD, vice president, professional development group, Americas region, for Vistakon. Cummings, 56, a former president of the American Optometric Association, died July 11 when a private plane in which he was a passenger crashed in St. Johns County, Fla., killing the pilot as well.

The Jacksonville services will be at 3 p.m. July 17 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 11757 Old St. Augustine Rd., Jacksonville. A second memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. July 24 at the Wyo Theater in Sheridan, Wyo., where Cummings lived and practiced for more than 20 years.

Cummings, a graduate of Pacific University’s College of Optometry, joined the AOA Board of Trustees in 1994; he was elected the AOA’s 81st president in 2002. After serving a one-year term as AOA president, Cummings joined Vistakon in December 2003 as VP, professional services, relocating to Florida. He was also a member of the Florida Optometric Association and the Northeast Florida Optometric Society. Cummings had been a private pilot himself for many years.

Commented Dave Brown, who became president of Vistakon Americas last week, “Pat was an extraordinary man, widely respected and admired by his colleagues and peers. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.”

Randy Brooks, OD, the AOA’s current president, said, “Pat Cummings was a skilled doctor, a gifted leader of the AOA, a powerful voice for the profession in his work at Vistakon and a tireless champion for public health.” Noting Cummings’ work with the AOA’s Healthy Eyes Healthy People and InfantSEE programs, Brooks added, “He used his position at AOA to advocate for the eyecare and health needs of patients across the country. He used his leadership skills and passion in service of those who were most in need. In doing so, he raised up our whole profession.”

Cummings is survived by his widow, Becky; son Josh; daughter Abbra; granddaughter Mia; his mother, Ivy; brother Mike; sister Mary; and nieces and nephews. Cummings’ other son, Patrick, died in 2003.|

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to a scholarship fund established by the AOA in Cummings’ honor. Donations may be sent to: Dr. Pat and Patrick Cummings Memorial Fund, Optometry’s Charity, AOA National Office, 243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141.