Ninth Generation

17235. Clyde Hill Coffey was born on 13 September 1932 in Yadkin Valley, Caldwell Co., NC.⁴³⁷⁸³ Clyde died at of a gunshot wound in McGrady, Wilkes Co., NC on 11 April 2009 and was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Park in Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC on 15 April 2009 .^43784,43785

News Item, The News-Topic, Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC, Wed., Apr. 15, 2009

Clyde Hill Coffey Shot and Killed by Wildlife Officer in Wilkes Co., NC

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is probing a weekend shooting that involved a state wildlife of-ficer and claimed the life of a Caldwell County man. 

Clyde Hill Coffey, 76, of Lenoir, died of a gunshot wound to the chest in a wooded area off Cane Creek Church Road in the McGrady community of Wilkes County Saturday. According to reports from the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office, Officer Mark Minton of the N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission fired a shot that struck Coffey in the chest around 7:30 a.m. A press release from the N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission indicates that Minton, a 12-year veteran of the agency's Law Enforcement Division, was patrolling on the opening day of the 2009 spring wild turkey season when he had an armed encounter with Coffey. 

According to information gathered by investigators, there is no reason to suspect that Minton confused Coffey with an animal, and Wildlife Commission officials have said the officer was acting in self-defense when he fired his service revolver at the hunter. 

A reason for the shooting has not been given. 

The incident occurred in a steep, wooded area near a home owned by the Coffey family, and the land where it happened is believed to be private property, though a Wildlife Resources Commission spokesperson said hunting laws apply to all lands, whether private or not. 

Minton reportedly was investigating people hunting in illegally baited fields, which the Wildlife Commission was doing in several areas of the county, when he encountered Coffey. 

A spokesperson for the N. C. Wildlife Commission said Minton has been placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation is conducted by the SBI. That is standard procedure following a shooting incident that involves an officer, the spokesperson said. 

The SBI has not released any details about the case. 

Findings from the investigation will be turned over to the District Attorney's Office for review and any charges that may stem from the outcome. 

Officials with the 23rd District Attorney's Office, based in Wilkesboro and covering Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes and Yadkin counties, would not comment on the shooting Tuesday. 

Wildlife Resources Commission officials declined further comment until the SBI's investigation is completed. 

The Wilkes Journal-Patriot contributed to this story.

Obituary, The News-Topic, Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC, Wed., Apr. 15, 2009

Mr. Clyde Hill Coffey, 76, of Lenoir, died Saturday, April 11, 2009. 

Born Sept. 13, 1932, in Caldwell County, he was a son of the late Howard and Edna Carlton Coffey. 

He also was preceded in death by his brothers, Earl Coffey, Woodrow Coffey, Wilson Coffey and George Coffey; and one sister, Hazel Coffey. 

Clyde was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and the center of his family's life. He died unnecessarily doing what he enjoyed most in life, and that was hunting. He also loved NASCAR racing. 

"Pop," as he was known, had lots of friends that he loved to laugh and joke with. 

Most of his life he was self-employed in a variety of businesses including grading, mechanic, service station and sporting goods store. 

He was a member of Philadelphia Primitive Baptist Church but will be laid to rest at Blue Ridge Memorial Park. 

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Faye Handy Coffey, daughters, Linda Coffey Helton and husband Larry, and Debbie Coffey Robbins and husband Bobby; four grandchildren, Bryan Helton and wife Shannon, Scott Helton and fiancée, Cristal Watson; Matt Robbins and Tiffany Robbins. He also is survived by six great-grandchildren, Skylar Lingerfelt, Zack Helton, Bryanna Helton, Jayden Helton, Dylan Watson and Cade Watson; one brother, Charlie Coffey; and one sister, Lois Herman. 

A celebration of Clyde's life will be held Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Evans Funeral Service with the Rev. Waitsel Beard officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Park. 

The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 p.m., prior to the service at Evans Funeral Service. 

Pallbearers will be Bryan Helton, Scott Helton, Matt Robbins, Elmer Guinn, Roger Helton and Harold Helton. 

Online condolences may be sent to the Coffey Family at www.evansfuneralservice.com. 

Evans Funeral Service of Lenoir is serving the Coffey Family.

A living couple was married in 1953 in Caldwell Co., NC.⁴³⁷⁸⁶ Living, child of Brady Eustus Handy and Della Cordely (Cordelia?) Hincher, was born in 1935 in Mulberry, Wilkes Co., NC.⁴³⁷⁸⁷

Clyde Hill Coffey and Living had the following children: