Dean Coffman, son of the late Rass and Carrie (Long) Coffman, was born Jan. 22, 1934, in Wright County, Missouri, and passed away Jan. 15, 2021, in Mountain Grove, at the home of his sister, Patsy. He was 86 years, 11 months and 24 days of age. Dean grew up in the Morning Sun community and went to school there from first through eighth grades.
He then went to Mountain Grove High School, where he graduated with his twin brother, Gean, in 1952. After graduation, Dean and Gean went to Iowa to work for Alcoa Aluminum. On June 22, 1956, Dean married Sandra McConaughey, at Davenport, Iowa. Dean was drafted into the United States Army in August 1956, along with his twin brother, Gean. After boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood, they were sent to Germany. They served together until they returned to the United States, where they were separated for a short time before their discharge in 1958. After their discharge from the Army, Dean and Gean returned to Alcoa Aluminum, where they continued to work until they retired.
They were mostly inseparable from birth. After retirement, Dean and Sandra moved to Texarkana. After a few years, they decided to return home to Mountain Grove, where Gean was living. Dean and Gean spent their retirement days at McDonald’s, drinking coffee and visiting friends. After his father died, he helped his mother with the farm. Dean had a very giving spirit and would help anyone in need. He had a special love for his nieces and nephews and tried to be a father figure to them when they had lost their fathers. He was always there for them when they needed him. Dean had a love for animals.
He raised Foxtrotting horses, and spent lots of time going on trail rides. One year, while in his 80s, he won the oldest rider award at the Kathy Smith St. Jude Trail Ride. He also raised bird dogs and loved going pheasant and quail hunting.
Besides his parents, Dean was preceded in death by his wife, Sandra, on Dec. 13, 2017; five brothers, Gean, Farris, Francis, Harold and Darold Coffman; and an infant sister, Ruby Coffman. He is survived by his step-son, Kevin Eagans, of Mountain Grove; one brother, Larry “Buck” Coffman and his wife, Sharon, of Hartville; five sisters, Mable Tetrick, of Mountain Grove; Dottie Perryman, of Raymondville; Donna Carlson and her husband, Sam, of Brooksville, Fla.; Patsy Hamilton, of Mountain Grove; and Darlene Bradshaw and her husband, Glen, of Norwood; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends who will miss him very much. Funeral services for Dean Coffman were held Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, at 2 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Wayne Cannon officiating.
Song selections were “Precious Memories,” “Amazing Grace” and “In The Garden.” Glen Bradshaw, Robert Shurley, Kent Rolf, Stacey McCallister, Carl Beasley and Stanley Carmen served as pallbearers.
Burial was in Friendship Cemetery under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mountain Grove. Memorial contributions may be made to Friendship Cemetery, Kathy Smith Trail Ride or St. Jude Children’s Research in care of the funeral home. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.
