INDEPENDENCE, Ohio - A teacher and coach died Saturday after suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease.

Mike Kurent touched the lives of hundreds of students and basketball players. Those who knew him said he had a heart of gold, ONN affiliate WEWS's Tracy Carloss reported.

"He lived what he taught his students -- to get the best out of life because tomorrow isn't promised to anyone," said his sister Barbara Kurent.

He taught and coached at several schools including Central Catholic and Independence High School. He also coached NBA player Earl Boykins.

"He really worked three jobs. He was a teacher, coach and had a fencing business because a teacher is not a lucrative business," said friend Mel Termini.

As head coach at Independence, Kurent had many successful seasons. He was also a star basketball player himself at Independence. He's in the school's athletic hall of fame.

Kurent was in the classroom because he loved making a difference in students' lives. He retired last year, and on Saturday he lost his battle with Lou Gehrig's disease.

Kurent never stopped trying to educate people. He traveled to Columbus a few months ago to try and help educate lawmakers about the disease.

Copyright 2007 by WEWS-TV.