Vernon Dale Coffman Sr.

1926 - 2016

Vernon Dale Coffman Sr. obituary, 1926-2016, Lafayette, LA

FUNERAL HOME

Martin & Castille Funeral Home - Southside

600 E Farrel Rd

Lafayette, Louisiana

Vernon Coffman Obituary

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 28, 2016 at 1:00 PM in Martin & Castille's La Fleur de Lis Chapel for Mr. Vernon Dale Coffman, Sr., age 89, who passed away peacefully at 11:31 PM on Monday, May 23, 2016 at his Lafayette home with his family at his side. The family requests that visitation be observed at Martin & Castille's SOUTHSIDE location on Friday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and on Saturday from 11:00 AM until time of services. Entombment will be in the Fountain Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. The Reverend Dr. Steve Horn, Pastor of First Baptist Church of Lafayette will officiate. Rev. Luther Burney will sing for the services. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Grant Dale Coffman, Christopher Patrick Gossen, Gregory Gossen, Dr. Ken Falterman, Grant Michel Barone and Jeron LaFargue. Vernon D. Coffman, Sr. was born in Horatio, Arkansas in 1926. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mattie Louise Johnson Coffman of Pitkin, Louisiana. The couple married in 1949 in Pitkin. Vernon was a licensed contractor, and President and CEO of Guy Scroggins, Inc. Vernon graduated high school from Pitkin High School in 1942. Less than a year later at 17 years old, Vernon began working as a contract employee, for the United States Army at Camp Polk (Fort Polk) in Leesville, Louisiana. During his service at Camp Polk, Vernon supervised several POW's, and headed the mechanical division's inventory line for outfitting half-tracks and trucks with mechanical supplies to support troops. After World War II, Vernon attended Louisiana Tech University in Ruston where he excelled in land and mechanical sciences. In 1959, Vernon earned a Diploma in Surveying and Mapping from the International Correspondence Schools of Scranton Pennsylvania while employed by SOHIO Petroleum Company. Vernon joined Guy Scroggins, Inc., in 1975 as a field supervisor, eventually purchasing the company in the mid-1980s where he worked full-time until his retirement in 2011. Vernon D. Coffman, was a member of the Louisiana Board of Contractors, the Louisiana Oilfield Contractor's Association and an active participant in the formation of Lafayette's modern petro-chemical industry. He worked as an advocate and lobbyist for small businesses and landowners, especially for those within and affected by the oil and gas industry. Vernon was one of the original members of Lafayette's Petroleum Club and a member of the City Club of Lafayette/River Ranch, served on the Board of Director's for the Lafayette Townhouse and an active member of the Order of the Troubadours Mardi Gras Krewe. Vernon served as a Duke of the Ball twice for his daughters, and eventually reigned as King Richard the XXXIV in 1986. Vernon was also a charitable member of the community, instrumental in the construction of Acadian Village, a corporate and personal sponsor Lafayette's Junior League Tinsel and Treasures and of countless Little League baseball teams and always a willing donor to many Lafayette public schools, notably Lafayette High School and associated athletic facilities. Vernon was an avid outdoorsman, sportsman, and environmentalist, a member of Ducks Unlimited for more than fifty years, an angler, a mariner, birder, herpetologist, ophiologist, gunsmith and mechanic. He was known for his ability to navigate the land, rivers, bayous, woodlands, swamps, and especially in his favorite place on earth, the deep in the marshes of South Louisiana. He was also well-known as one of the more experienced numismatists in the community with a valued knowledge of currency and coins, and an avid philatelist, collecting stamps from around the world. Vernon was a member of First Baptist Church of Lafayette and baptized at Northside Baptist Church in Lafayette. He also served as a mason alongside his father George Mitchell Coffman Sr., who preceded Vernon in death. His mother, Florence Elizabeth Milam Coffman, two brothers, George Mitchell Coffman, Jr., and Richard Dix Coffman also preceded Vernon in death. He is survived by his beloved wife Mattie Louise Coffman, daughter Carla Patricia Coffman Gossen and husband Gregory Martin Gossen, and daughter Tanya Lou Coffman Falterman and husband Dr. Kenneth Wayne Falterman. His son Dr. Vernon Dale Coffman, Jr. and his wife Elena Coffman survive Vernon. He is also survived by his son Dr. Mitchell Ward Coffman. Vernon was a loving parent and proud grandparent having established his legacy through his family including his grandchildren; Cullen Barry Coffman Barone and her husband Grant Barone, Matthew Coffman Gossen, Christopher Patrick Gossen, Grier Dale Gossen, Olivia Louise Falterman, Kendall Dale Coffman, Grant Dale Coffman and Kristen Leigh Robertson. A heartfelt appreciation is extended to the caregivers, Marlene Peterson, Vickey Wiggins, Cathy Walker and Sunshine Walker for the compassionate care given to Vernon in his time of need. View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com. Martin & Castille, SOUTHSIDE, 600 E. Farrel Rd., Lafayette, LA 70508, 337-984-2811.

Published by The Advocate from May 25 to May 28, 2016.
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Memories and Condolences
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He would do anything for anybody-he was tough, kind, and funny!-he helped build Lafayette's Oil Industry and that's a fact--he worked hard and so did his employees--he and his crews put food on a lot of Acadiana's family's tables. Thank You Mr. Vernon-God bless you--

May 28, 2016

With deepest sympathy for the family. May the God of loyal love comfort your family during this time of need. 2 Corinth 1:3-4

May 28, 2016

My thoughts and prayers are with you all. It is always hard to lose someone you love so deeply..
Vernon will be missed by many. He was a true gentleman In the fullest sense of the word.

May 28, 2016

MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY,MR VERNON WAS A GREAT MAN,FATHER,GRANDFATHER,I KNOW HE WILL BE DEARLY MISSED.

SHELIA BENOIT

May 27, 2016

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

SHELIA BENOIT

May 27, 2016

I am so sorry to hear about Uncle Vernon passing. He was truly a remarkable man. When I look at his picture--a flood of memories from my childhood come back. I can still hear his strong voice. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Aunt Mattie, Dale, Carla, Tonya and Mitch and all their families. You will miss him but may you find comfort in knowing he is in a much better place. Much love and prayers.
Cathy Coffman-Barrett and
Kevin Barrett

Cathy Coffman-Barrett

May 27, 2016

To the Coffman Family, My deepest sympathy over the loss of Mr. Vernon. I only met him a few times but remember him well. He was a charming man with a great sense of humor.

Claudia Venezia

May 27, 2016

What a great example of a self-made man. Always appreciated his integrity and love for family and friends. God bless Miss Mattie Lou and family

Forrest Wright

May 26, 2016

Peace be with ALL of the family during this most difficult time. I will always treasure many memories of Uncle Vernon. What a truly wonderful man. Rest in peace Uncle Vernon. You earned your wings,,,fly high! Daddy, momma and you can have morning coffee together again. Until we meet again~~~Love Cindy Payne Gomez

Cindy Payne Gomez

May 25, 2016

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Memorial Events
for Vernon Coffman

May

27

Visitation

5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Martin & Castille's SOUTHSIDE location

LA

May

28

Visitation

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Martin & Castille's La Fleur de Lis Chapel

LA

May

28

Funeral service

1:00 p.m.

Martin & Castille's La Fleur de Lis Chapel

LA

Funeral services provided by:

Martin & Castille Funeral Home - Southside

600 E Farrel Rd, Lafayette, LA 70508

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