RTree - Person Sheet
NameKenneth Eugene COFFEY 
Birth17 Mar 1922
Death1942
FatherCarl Edward COFFEY (1897-1987)
MotherMary HOFFMAN (1898-)
Misc. Notes
Obituary: Kenneth Eugene Coffey:
Kenneth Eugene Coffey was born March 17, 1922, at Garden Grove, Iowa, and died May 31, 1942, at Long Beach, California.
He graduated from the Garden Grove high school May 17, 1941, and from the aviation training service of Los Angeles, California, October 21, 1941. Since October 1941, he was employed by the North American Aviation Corporation of Inglewood, California. While in Inglewood he attended the First Christian Church and took part in all the young people’s meetings.
All of his life was spent in Iowa except the last nine months, when he lived in California.
He leaves to mourn his untimely death, his father and mother, Carl and Mary Coffey of Garden Grove, and two brothers, Darrell and Richard. One sister, Betty Imogene, preceded him in death September 3, 1930, at the age of four years.
He also leaves his grandparents, Mr. And Mrs. Louis Hoffman of Garden Grove, and Mr. And Mrs. Newton Coffey of Humeston, many cousins, and a multitude of friends.
The following is a portion of a letter received by the parents. It is from the wife of the friend, who was with Kenneth when the unfortunate accident occurred that claimed his life:
“I am writing this, as I know you would like the details of Kenneth’s death. It was a habit of Kenneth’s to come over after work on Sunday to go swimming and then have dinner. We have had many enjoyable evenings like that.
“He and my husband, Harold, went swimming last Sunday as usual about 5:30 p.m. As they went in Kenneth said, ‘The ocean is rough, so I’m going beyond the breakers and ride the waves in.’ He was in about thirty minutes when I noticed he wasn’t swimming right. I was sitting in the car with my baby and at once I called to my husband. He tried to get to him, but it was impossible, as Harold is not a good swimmer and Kenneth was a long way out. We call the lifeguards immediately, and it was not five minutes until they had him out of the water.
“The life guard and doctors gave him artificial respiration, and oxygen, but of no avail. It could have been possible that he was caught in a rip tide and was pulled under.
“The enclosed money was sent to the mortuary for flowers for Kenneth. It is from my husband and me and from the boys in Department 13 who worked with Kenneth.
“Kenneth had many friends here as he was a perfect gentleman about everything. I know that we will never find a more true or sincere friend and pal than he was to us. If there is anything I haven’t made clear or more information that you would like, we will do our best to give it to you. Kenneth’s Bible is in his suitcase.
“May God bless you and help you through this terrible trial. Sincerely, Mr. And Mrs. Harold Duncan.”
Census 1940: Kenneth Coffey / b: abt 1922 in IA / Son / Living in Clay, Wayne, IA
Census 1930: Kenneth Coffey / b: abt 1922 in IA / Son / Living in High Point, Decatur, Iowa
Kenneth Eugene Coffey was born March 17, 1922, at Garden Grove, Iowa, and died May 31, 1942, at Long Beach, California.
He graduated from the Garden Grove high school May 17, 1941, and from the aviation training service of Los Angeles, California, October 21, 1941. Since October 1941, he was employed by the North American Aviation Corporation of Inglewood, California. While in Inglewood he attended the First Christian Church and took part in all the young people’s meetings.
All of his life was spent in Iowa except the last nine months, when he lived in California.
He leaves to mourn his untimely death, his father and mother, Carl and Mary Coffey of Garden Grove, and two brothers, Darrell and Richard. One sister, Betty Imogene, preceded him in death September 3, 1930, at the age of four years.
He also leaves his grandparents, Mr. And Mrs. Louis Hoffman of Garden Grove, and Mr. And Mrs. Newton Coffey of Humeston, many cousins, and a multitude of friends.
The following is a portion of a letter received by the parents. It is from the wife of the friend, who was with Kenneth when the unfortunate accident occurred that claimed his life:
“I am writing this, as I know you would like the details of Kenneth’s death. It was a habit of Kenneth’s to come over after work on Sunday to go swimming and then have dinner. We have had many enjoyable evenings like that.
“He and my husband, Harold, went swimming last Sunday as usual about 5:30 p.m. As they went in Kenneth said, ‘The ocean is rough, so I’m going beyond the breakers and ride the waves in.’ He was in about thirty minutes when I noticed he wasn’t swimming right. I was sitting in the car with my baby and at once I called to my husband. He tried to get to him, but it was impossible, as Harold is not a good swimmer and Kenneth was a long way out. We call the lifeguards immediately, and it was not five minutes until they had him out of the water.
“The life guard and doctors gave him artificial respiration, and oxygen, but of no avail. It could have been possible that he was caught in a rip tide and was pulled under.
“The enclosed money was sent to the mortuary for flowers for Kenneth. It is from my husband and me and from the boys in Department 13 who worked with Kenneth.
“Kenneth had many friends here as he was a perfect gentleman about everything. I know that we will never find a more true or sincere friend and pal than he was to us. If there is anything I haven’t made clear or more information that you would like, we will do our best to give it to you. Kenneth’s Bible is in his suitcase.
“May God bless you and help you through this terrible trial. Sincerely, Mr. And Mrs. Harold Duncan.”
Census 1940: Kenneth Coffey / b: abt 1922 in IA / Son / Living in Clay, Wayne, IA
Census 1930: Kenneth Coffey / b: abt 1922 in IA / Son / Living in High Point, Decatur, Iowa