Ninth Generation

17955. Gary Ray Coffey was born on 13 February 1932 in Dugger, Sullivan Co., IN. Gary died in Edwardsville, Madison Co., IL on 22 April 2018 and his remains were probably cremated. His obituary cited a celebration of live planned for later.⁴⁴⁵⁷⁸

Obituary, The Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, IL, Mon., Apr. 30, 2018

Gary Ray Coffey passed peacefully on April 22, 2018, at home in Edwardsville, Illinois. 

Born February 13, 1932, in Dugger, Indiana, to Ruth (nee Pope) Jeffers and Emil Coffey (Emil died shortly died after Gary's birth). Ruth soon after married Herbert Jeffers, who raised Gary as his own. 

Gary has no siblings and is survived by Patricia (nee Waters) Coffey, his wife of 59 years, and their four children Gregory (Jane) Coffey, Susan Cranford, Laurie Coffey, and Brett (Maureen) Coffey. Gary is the proud grandfather to Jennifer (Matthew) Warren; Samantha (Michael) Krueger; Charlie, Maxwell and Madison Cranford; and Bridget, Kyle, Reagan, and Tayte Coffey. 

A long-time resident of the Edwardsville Community, Gary made a lasting impact on numerous civic groups, the development of SIUE, and the local law profession. A 1955 graduate of the University of Illinois Law School, Gary served on active duty overseas in the U.S. Marine Corps, ultimately retiring as a Major in the Reserves. He landed in Edwardsville working with the Reed & Armstrong Law Firm, then with Florists' Mutual Insurance Company, and then became a partner in the Reed, Armstrong, Gorman & Coffey Law Firm. As SIUE's legal counsel, he was instrumental in the development of the campus and its operations. 

He was actively involved in community service both before and after his retirement from law practice in 2008. Although humble, his proudest accomplishments include: Edwardsville Jaycees charter member; City of Edwardsville Alderman; SIUE legal counsel, ECUSD #7 Board of Education president; Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce officer and its first Lifetime Achievement Award recipient; Edwardsville Community Foundation charter member; Edwardsville Arts Center board member; Edwardsville Rotary Club member, which during his presidency, he established the annual Citrus drive that has raised over $850,000 to date benefiting more than 175 local organizations and projects. 

Gary enjoyed time and travel with family and friends. Positively impacting many lives, his insights and unique humor will be missed by all. 

A celebration of his life is being arranged.

A living couple was married. Living (private).