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Happy Valley has been permanently saddened. The typically jovial region will be in a state of mourning for a long time. How else would you expect a group of people to react if an ultra-meaningful, beloved icon passed away in far from ideal circumstances?

Former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno died at age 85 Sunday morning as a result of lung cancer. Paterno served as head coach of the Nittany Lions for 46 years, before being fired this past November.

Regardless of any feelings on recent events, an exit like this was completely undeserved. Paterno was not a perfect human being. He certainly made mistakes regarding his inaction in the Jerry Sandusky scandal. However, he should not be defined solely on a few brief moments across his eight-and-a-half decade life.

Paterno's legacy was well documented and established years ago. He was a spectacular coach. JoePa won more games than anyone, produced All-Americans and NFL-caliber players, and delivered National Championships. Beyond that, he was a teacher in life. Paterno's "Grand Experiment" aimed for success on and off the gridiron. He insisted that his talented players to also excel in the classroom. Simply put, Joe Paterno changed lives.

He made his mark on the field, but he made it elsewhere too. He possessed an unmatched vision to go along with his unmatched generosity.

He made his living as a football coach, but could have served as the foreman for Penn State University. Paterno's direct efforts led to buildings and a nationally recognized library. His indirect contributions were responsible for the success and status that Penn State cherishes today.

Maybe recent events affected his will, but a punchless Joe Paterno is not the man we knew. He was fiery and sometimes arrogant, yet simultaneously intelligent, poignant and caring. He was witty and unique. His iconic image includes thick coke-bottle glasses and rolled-up pant legs, portrayed in a statue outside of Beaver Stadium. Times changed, but Paterno was the one mainstay we could count on.

This day was inevitable though. Despite Paterno's convincing act that he would be around forever, the moment when he wouldn't be was anticipated. The current generation was attached to Twitter and Facebook all Saturday night and Sunday morning. Contradicting and shocking news trickled in from various media outlets for hours on end. Falsified reports on Saturday were followed by final confirmation on Sunday. Now, tributes are pouring in. Former players, opponents, and pretty much anyone who ever crossed paths with Paterno have remarked and universally praised the man.

Joe Paterno made an impact on so many lives and will not be easily forgotten. A walk around Penn State's campus and a look at any of the passing students will help one determine whether they would be there without Joe Paterno. For some, the answer is unequivocally no. If not for JoePa, the university might be closer to the agricultural school image it had when he arrived in 1950, than what it is today.

He made his mark on the field, but he made it elsewhere too. He possessed an unmatched vision to go along with his unmatched generosity.

Unfortunately, a dilemma is now present when discussing the lasting legacy of Joe Paterno. At what point does the Sandusky scandal and Paterno's role in it come into the discussion? Hopefully, it won't be at the beginning. But it's not a footnote to overlook either. We know the morals were present, it just seems that Paterno has moments of conflict in a few situations.

Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

His priorities were out of order, and he had a misplaced sense of urgency in 2002 when informed of the alleged actions of Sandusky. Still, Paterno believed he was living by his code of conduct.

Last week, Sally Jenkins of The Washington Post interviewed Paterno for the final time. He was able to reveal parts of his story, but ultimately failed in shedding light on the entire scandal. Uncertainty remains, and it might always remain. Surely though, more information will be delivered through the legal process. None of us know whether this will further implicate Paterno or whether it will largely clear his name.

Trying to maintain a completely objective viewpoint is tough for me. I am a proud Penn State student. I didn't always bleed blue and white but I respected Joe Paterno immensely. That being said, I agreed with decision to fire him. It was the right move, but that doesn't negate decades of service.

No one will live the life Joe Paterno lived. He was an institution almost more than the one he worked for. Thousands of mourners attended a vigil held in Paterno's memory on Sunday night. Many stories were told to the shivering yet attentive and somber crowd. The lasting theme was his impact on others and that legends never die.

So, Joe Paterno, the legend with a few hiccups along the way, has passed, but his life will always be remembered.