Eugene Louis (Gene) Coffinger |
| Posted 2009-11-30 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Tuesday, January 28, 2003 Eugene Louis (Gene) Coffinger, 91, of Phoenix, went home to his Lord and Savior on Jan. 24, 2003. He was born May 2, 1911, in Grand Junction, Colo. to Carroll David and Edna (Pinkston) Coffinger. His father died when he was 11 years old. He left home at age 14, putting himself through Phoenix Union High School by working on Montgomery Stadium for $.75 a day. He graduated from Arizona State Teachers' College in 1934 and then taught shop at Madison School No. 1 for 22 years. While a shop teacher, he built a number of homes during the summer recesses. He was Superintendent of Buildings, Grounds and Transportation for the Madison School District from 1956 until his retirement in 1973. In 1940, he married Dorothy Smith, who taught kindergarten at Madison for 20 years and was also an ASU grad. They had three sons: Fred, Don and Dick. Dorothy died in 1985. In 1992, he married former Madison teacher and friend, Margaret Dunn Chamberlain. Margaret, who was also an ASU grad, died in 2001. Gene donated $50K from her estate to establish a scholarship in her name for former Madison School students at ASU in the College of Education. Gene's estate will match this scholership. After retiring. Gene remained active, building homes for his sons and brother and later, donated his time to Habitat for Humanity. Gene was an avid hunter, fisherman and sports fan who generously dedicated his life to helping others. Gene had 22 ASU graduates in his family, and between the many educators, they have a total of 262 years in the profession. He is survived by his sons. Fred (Fran) of Tucson, Dick (Sue), a local attorney, brother, Myron (Carol) Webster of Mesa, cousin, Sue (Oscar) Langston of Green Valley, Arizona, nephew Pat (Joy) Coffinger, niece Diane (Mike) Engel, six grandchilren, three great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, two great-nieces and five great-nephews. Services at 2:00 p.m. with visitation at 12:00 noon, Tues., Jan. 28, at Camelback Sunset Chapel, 301 W. Camelback Rd. The family suggests contributions to the ASU Foundation-Margaret Chamberlain-Coffinger Scholership. |
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