Birth date: Sep 4, 1931 Death date: Jun 29, 2019
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Jack Coffey, age 87, of Linville Falls, North Carolina passed away on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at the Life Care Center of Banner Elk, NC. He was born on September 4, 1931 in Avery County, North Carolina. He graduated from Newland High School in 1949 and received his Masters in Education from Appalachian State University. Jack served his country in the United States Army from 1957-1959. Jack received his Doctorate of Education at Highland University in Maryville, TN. He taught at Lees-McRae College for 29 years where he received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award in 1976 as well as the title "Professor Emeritus" in 1999. Jack was a trained Emergency Medical Technician and had received numerous awards and acknowledgements for his volunteer service with Avery County. He was trained as a Lay Pastor with the United Methodist Church and was a member of the Pisgah United Methodist Church. Jack was a friend to all and loved to serve Jesus and the community he lived in. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Essie Townsend Coffey. Jack leaves behind to cherish his memory his: Wife of 62 years, Barbara Dennie Coffey of Linville Falls, NC; God-Son, Cameron Duckworth, God-Son, Casey Duckworth, Sister, Peggy Hamlin of Linville Falls, NC, Sister, Annis Sherwood of Port Deposit, MD; and Several Nieces and Nephews. Funeral Services for Jack Coffey will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 1, 2019 at the Pisgah United Methodist Church with Rhonda Campbell and Terry Duckworth officiating. Interment will follow in the Pisgah Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church on Monday beginning at 1:00 p.m. Pallbearers will be: Roy Lee Dennie, Cory Hoyes, Casey Duckworth, Tommy Duff, David Yeater, Cameron Duckworth and Logan Guinn. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Mark Stout, Danny Guinn, Jimmy Guinn, and Frank Guinn. The family would like to thank the staff and therapists at Life Care Center of Banner Elk and to their church family at Pisgah United Methodist. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Terry Duckworth Ministry, RAMS Rack or Pisgah United Methodist Church. Words of Comfort and Memories may be shared with the Coffey family by visiting our website www.rsfh.net The care of Jack and his family has been entrusted to Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland. (828) 733-2121Read Obituary
Jack was like family to me. He loved his church family with all his heart. He always had a great big smile on his face. He will be missed. Prayers for Kim, Cory and Megan and to Pisgah United Methodist Church. I send my love and my prayers.
One of the best teachers I had at Harris High School. Mr. Coffey absolutely made sure we learned to type properly and that has carried throughout my working career. A good man. Godspeed.
Danny Burleson
Jack taught at Lee’s McRae at a time I was in my late twenties and early thirties. He was always so sweet and kind to me during some difficult times of a divorce and he sat in front of the LMC Library and he told me he was concerned about my daughter and I during this time of transition. He was a good, Caring Christian friend and he will be missed!
I taught with Jack for several years at Lees-McRae College. He always treated his colleagues and students with kindness, and he supported them in their endeavors. He and I shared our interest in photography and in encouraging students to develop their talents in that field. I always welcomed a visit from Jack in the dark room where he shared his expertise freely. He will be missed.
Michael Joslin
What a great guy Jack was. He and I served Lees-McRae's Photo Club for several years and he was responsible for it's success and viability. A lot of students benefited from his service. Goodbye to a terrific man. . .
I am a retired professor from Lees-McRae College, where Jack and I were friends and colleagues for about 25 years. I remember him as a kind and gentle man and a valued and respected member of the college faculty. He always had a good word and a smile for everyone, and he was a faithful worker who took his commitment to education seriously. He loved helping others, and he was always ready to lend a hand in any endeavor. This past winter Jack and I renewed our acquaintance, and we would see each other frequently at the Linville YMCA in the early morning when he did a brief workout, often accompanied by his wife Barbara. As I remembered him from our Lees-McRae days, Jack was his usual friendly self, and he always greeted everyone with a smile. Heartfelt condolences to Barbara and the rest of the family. Jack's many friends and colleagues will sincerely miss his gentle spirit and his big smile.
----Bill Watterson
----Retired English Professor, Lees-McRae College
