Tenth Generation

20270. Judge Jon Norman Coffee was born in 1936 in Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX and died in Scottsdale, Maricopa Co., AZ on 19 November 2009. In Austin, Travis Co., TX at Green Pastures Restaurant on 4 December 2009.

Obituary, Austin American-Statesman, Nov., 22, 2009

Jon Norman Coffee passed away on November 19, 2009, at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona, after a long battle with cancer.

Jon was born in 1936 in Corsicana, Texas, and is preceded in death by his parents, Judge Norman Coffee and Ruby Hall Coffee, and brother, David Coffee.

He was raised in the Texas Panhandle town of Borger, Texas, went on to attend Kemper Military School and proudly served in the United States Army. Jon moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas and received his BBA in 1957 and then his law degree in 1960 from the UT School of Law. He began his legal career at the Texas General Land Office and subsequently opened an office in downtown Austin where he began his law practice.

Long considered by his peers, clients and the judiciary as one of the premier family law attorneys in America, in 2009 Jon Coffee was honored as the first and only Attorney admitted to the Austin Bar Association Family Law Section's Hall of Fame.

Jon was among the first lawyers in the State of Texas to become a Certified Specialist in Family Law, was listed in Best Lawyers In America and had a Texas-sized personality and stature that dominated courtrooms throughout Central Texas for more than 30 years. He served in many leadership positions during his legal career, including serving as President of the Travis County Bar Association, the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists, the Family Law Section of the Travis County Bar Association, Director of the State Bar of Texas and Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation.

Jon was a frequent lecturer and author for Texas continuing legal education programs. He personally mentored and trained a significant number of young lawyers who went on to become Family Law Specialists and District Judges and was universally recognized as the Dean of Family Law Specialists in Travis County.

As the son of a County Judge, Jon developed an understanding of local politics at an early age. Upon moving to Austin, he became very active in the Democratic Party. Throughout his life, Jon enthusiastically supported candidates for public office when he believed that their understanding of public policy could build a more just society.

In 1993, Jon relocated to Michigan with his wife, Judy, and dedicated himself to retirement in earnest. He served as a volunteer for many community initiatives, became a Master Gardener and enjoyed playing bridge on local, regional and national levels, earning the status of Gold Life Master. He was a voracious traveler and thoroughly enjoyed learning about the culture and history of far-off places. He spent his final years in Arizona where he found beauty and peace in the warm climate, unique flora and fauna and dramatic desert vistas. Jon loved people. He loved meeting new friends, whether at the local diner or in a foreign country. His irreverent sense of humor, stories and antics charmed people wherever he went. His family and friends will forever miss his aphorisms and larger than life personality.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Judith Pelham; and his five children, son Gordon Coffee, wife Jan and grandchildren, Meghan, Stuart and Andrew of Vienna, Virginia; son Brian Coffee, wife Sheri and grandchildren Christopher and Sarah of Birmingham, Alabama; daughter Leslie Coffee Sharrock, husband Greg and grandchildren Lauren and Caitlin of Plano, Texas; daughter Marla Coffee and son Jeffrey Coffee of Austin. He is also survived by 3 step-children, Rachel Pelham Welch, Molly Pelham, Edward Pelham and their families.

A celebration of Jon Coffee's life will be held at Green Pastures Restaurant in Austin, Texas, on Friday, December 4, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. In honor of Jon's lifelong commitment to social justice and service to the vulnerable in our communities, memorial contributions may be made to your local area food bank or The Salvation Army.

A living couple was married in 1957 in Dallas, Dallas Co., TX.⁴⁷²¹⁶ Living (private).

Judge Jon Norman Coffee and Living had the following children: