It’s been just over 17 years since Fisher DeBerry, the winningest coach in Academy football history, stalked the Air Force Falcon sidelines.

He’s now 85-years-old, staring down 86 this coming June.

A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, the South Carolina native first arrived in Colorado Springs in 1980 joining the team as quarterbacks coach and a year later, transitioning to offensive coordinator. He was promoted to head coach in 1984 after Ken Hatfield left for Arkansas.

On this cold January day, I’m speaking with Coach from his home in Tulsa, Okla., where he lives with his beloved wife of 59 years, LuAnn. They’ve just returned from comforting a great granddaughter navigating a perilous trip to the dentist. Grandpas are good at that, even ones who spent their careers helping toughen up young men on the gridiron for high stakes combat in the skies.

When settling on a day to talk, DeBerry stressed Thursdays were better than Tuesdays because of volunteer responsibilities at their church. DeBerry may have retired from coaching, but he clearly believes in the adage that to retire is to expire.

The Fisher DeBerry Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to helping single moms and their children, plus numerous other charitable causes, also consumes a lot of the coach’s time. Hundreds of children will get to go to camp this coming summer because of the ongoing effort.

Just hearing the coach’s friendly drawl conjures up lots of good memories of crisp autumn afternoons. The Air Force Academy trains thousands of leaders every year, but they’re only able to produce them because of leaders like DeBerry (and now Troy Calhoun) who first show them the way. He even kept a sign in his office to remind him of this reality. It read, “A coach’s success is not measured by wins and losses but by the men your players become.”

We covered lots of topics during our hour-long conversation, including the old coach’s concern about the rise in sports gambling. Don’t fall for the promises of quick pay days. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, cases of addictions have increased by almost a third – and they attribute the rise to men between the ages of 18 and 24. Gambling hurts the gambler and the gambler’s family, exploits and preys upon the poor, and undermines a Christian work ethic.

It’s inspiring to look back on lives well-lived and curate their timeless good. Coach DeBerry used to tell his players the same three things after every game. First, he’d remind them the next day was Sunday. “I’m going to church,” he’d tell them. “I hope you will, too.” Second, he’d encourage them to call their mom and dad and tell them they loved them. Finally, he’d urge his players to remember who they were.

Whether you’re in college playing football, raising a family, or navigating retirement, that’s wise counsel.

In short, he was affirming on a weekly basis life’s most important priorities: our faith, our family, and our country. It’s critical we get those foundational things right because if we don’t, everything else will be wrong.

According to Fisher DeBerry, life is a gift and an adventure. He loved his time in Colorado Springs, but also believes in the truth found in Ecclesiastes: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” He intends to carry on until they carry him out.

Fisher DeBerry has found the key to happiness and fulfillment and it’s a formula that will work for you and me: Stay busy. Stay engaged. Keep giving back and never give up.

Paul J. Batura is a local writer and host of WHAT A LIFE! Lessons from Legends radio program heard on Saturdays at 6 a.m. on AM 1460 and 100.7 FM KGFT on Sunday afternoons at 1 p.m. You can reach him via email: [email protected]