Eugene Willis Coffey

Eugene Willis Gene Coffey, lifelong Osage County resident, passed away on Thursday, October 2, 2003 at the Cleveland Area Hospital at the age of seventy-eight years and eight months.

Gene was born February 2, 1925 in Miami, Oklahoma. He was the son of William Wesley and Ida May Coffey. Gene moved with his family at an early age to Prue and then to Osage, where he was raised an attended school.

Upon completion of his schooling, Gene worked as a truck driver for a short time before being inducted into the service of his country during World War II. He served in the United States Army as a military policeman and combat infantryman. PFC Coffey participated in the assault on Luzon, the large, northernmost Philippine island in December 1945. He was awarded the following decorations and citations: Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon with one Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star, Army of Occupation Ribbon (Japan), Victory Ribbon with two Overseas Service Bars. He was honorably discharged on November 17, 1946.

Upon his return from military service, Gene worked driving a truck in the oilfields of Northeastern Oklahoma for a few years before beginning a long career in the pipeline construction business. He was married to Betty DeLonais on May 27, 1949 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hominy. The couple had two daughters, Vicki and Elizabeth. They have made their home near Hominy for the past fifty-four years. During their marriage, Gene worked for Williams Pipeline Company as a side boom operator in almost every state of the union. Additionally, he worked on pipelines in Iran, Africa and South America. He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 627.

Gene was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He liked to play dominos and was an avid sports fan. He was a Hominy Buck supporter and enjoyed watching the University of Oklahoma Sooners. Additionally, he loved cleaning his 1966 gray Chevrolet pickup truck. His favorite pastime, however, was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was loved by many friends and family. The following are a list of his name sakes: Sheila Jean, Johnny Eugene, Karne Jean, Samantha Jean, Barbra Jean, Elmer Eugene, Eugenia, Elizabeth Gene and Samuel Eugene.

Gene is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Betty of the home; two daughters and their husbands, Vicki Elaine and Keith Reagan, Jenks, Oklahoma and Elizabeth Gene and Randy Pierce, Cleveland, Oklahoma; seven grandchildren, Kristopher Keith Reagan, Jenks, Oklahoma, Shelby Elaine Bacon, Jenks, Oklahoma, Matthew Allen Reagan, Jenks, Oklahoma, Valerie Ann Russell, Cleveland, Oklahoma, Eugenia Elizabeth Maker, Cleveland, Oklahoma, Christopher Kyle Pierce, Cleveland, Oklahoma and Samuel Eugene Pierce, Cleveland, Oklahoma; five great grandchildren, Hunter Elaine Bacon, Jenks, Oklahoma, Jeremey Ray Russell, Cleveland, Oklahoma, Hailee Mae Bacon, Jenks, Oklahoma, Sophia Grace Reagan, Jenks, Oklahoma and Connor Allen Reagan, Jenks, Oklahoma; two sisters, Frankie Gray, Cleveland, Oklahoma and Lucille Bailey, Superior, Arizona; half brother, John Earl Cramer, Lawton, Oklahoma; two half sisters, Maxine Shaver, Perry, Oklahoma and Claudean Conway, Perry, Oklahoma.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Rufus Coffey and Virgil Coffey; two sisters, Lavern Biggs and Pauline Iness; one half brother, Claudie Cramer; and a half sister, Betty Gregory.

Rosary will be held at 7:00 pm, Monday, October 6, 2003 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hominy. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, October 7, 2003, also at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Bruce Brosnahan officiating. Burial will be at the A. J. Powell Memorial Cemetery in Hominy under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home in Cleveland.

Visit an online obituary, guestbook and video tribute for Gene Coffey at www.chapman-black.com.