COFFEE, Robert (Bob)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 12/05/2014 Robert “Bob” Coffee, 87, longtime resident of Snowflake, died Nov. 11, 2014, in Phoenix of cardiac arrest. Bob’s journey began May 16, 1927, in Anaheim, Calif., and took him around the globe, from his early years drilling water wells in the Bakersfield, Calif., and the Indian Wells Valley areas to military service in Germany and Korea. After his service in both the U.S. Army and Air Force, Bob once again found himself in the Indian Wells Valley drilling wells. Opportunity knocked and Bob moved to Arizona, starting in the Kingman area and then moving up to the White Mountains and finally settling in the Snowflake area. Bob worked hard and continued to remain active in his later years. Well past retirement age, he could still be found drilling wells, pulling pumps and fixing windmills. When not working, he enjoyed the great outdoors, especially hunting and fishing in many White Mountain forests and lakes. He was planning a trip to Roosevelt Lake in the days before his passing. He is survived by his sister, Pat Spangler of San Jose, Calif.; longtime companion Elverda R. Topliss of Snowflake; and many sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren throughout the country. Along the way, Bob was surrounded by a great number of family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Dorothy Coffee, sister Betty Lack and brother Bill Coffee of Bakersfield, Calif. A celebration of Bob’s journey will be held at 11 a.m. Jan. 3, 2015, at the Main Street Chapel in Snowflake, concluding with military honors. Lunch will be served immediately following the service. Arrangements are being handled by Randy and Carol Coffee (son and daughter-in-law). For more information, call 760-793-3174.