Obituary for Gerald Coffin

Gerald “Jerry” Hutton Coffin, age 87, resident of Ponca City, Oklahoma, passed away in his home, July 14, 2015.

Graveside memorial services will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at the Longwood Cemetery east of Ponca City. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

Jerry was born on August 9, 1927 to Bryant Hollister Coffin and Mary Elizabeth Hutton Coffin Horton in Springfield, MO. As a child, he spent many of his years in Phillipsburg and Hays, Kansas. In 1949, he moved to Los Angeles, CA, served in the Marines, and began attending the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (BIOLA). It was at BIOLA where Jerry met Allene Ruff who he married on March 21, 1952 in Yuma, AZ. Jerry and Allene moved back to Kansas in 1952 where he attended Fort Hays State University and received a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in History. A lover of history, for many years, he taught American History in various high schools throughout Kansas, most notably in Derby, KS. At other times during his career, he worked at various banks throughout Western Kansas.

Jerry was an exemplary man, whose Christian testimony was apparent to all that knew him by virtue of his strong moral values and the example he set. Other elements of his character showed up in his ever punctual, always dependable, generous and unquestionably responsible way of life. He was resourceful and a keen learner. Jerry could fix just about anything he set his mind to. Jerry was known to enjoy photography, computers, professional women’s tennis (his favorite was Martina Hingis), Downton Abbey, gardening, and reading, particularly classic British literature (such as Pride and Prejudice). Two of his favorite authors were Catherine Cookson and M.M. Kaye. Music often filled the air wherever he was, as Jerry enjoyed a broad range of music. He had an uncanny ability to remember almost every joke he ever heard and, hardly a conversation that went by where he did not interject "That reminds me of a joke”. Jerry enjoyed traveling to visit friends and family, going to Kauai, Hawaii in 2014 and to California and Texas in 2015. Relatively healthy and strong to the end, he tried to take several one mile walks per week and continued to mow the lawn as he enjoyed working in the outdoors. Jerry’s favorite Bible verse was Psalms 16:6: “The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” He was very happily married to Allene and tremendously proud of his three children. His daughter, Debbie, and son, Dale, both thoughtfully called Jerry “their rock”. He was a friend to all and will be sorely missed by many.

Survivors include his daughter Deborah Richard and husband Ron of Escondido, CA; grandchildren Brenn Richard of Los Angeles, CA, Luke Richard of Escondido, CA, son Dale Coffin and wife Lana of Ponca City, Evan Coffin of Enid, OK, Erin Coffin of Enid, OK, Elisha Coffin of Enid, OK, Hannah Roush of Wichita, KS, and Abigail Roush of Wichita, KS, and nieces Mary McChesney of Waco, TX, and Anne Marie Hazel of Houston, TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife Allene, son David Bruce Coffin, brother Bill Coffin, and sister Norma Karlsen.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the: The Mission Inc. of Ponca City, 909 E. South Ave., Ponca City, OK 74601 or Salvation Army, 711 S. 3rd St., Ponca City, OK 74601 in lieu of flowers.

Source: Trout Funeral Home