In Memory of John Coffey
Location: Commerce,Georgia
Born: September 27, 1944
Passed Away: March 7, 2024
John had an impact on each of us. He was not just a person; he was a force—a beacon of kindness, resilience, and unwavering love. You never left his presence without a smile. He never took life too seriously and lived life to the fullest everyday. The world is not the same without John Coffey.
This is what John wrote in his bio telling about how he grew up. It just shows his humor that he put into every conversation.
It was a dark, cool, windy night on September 27 of 1944, when after hours of crying, sobbing, and more crying, my dad finally paid the hospital bill and was able to take John home for the first time. After graduating high school at age 17, John couldn’t find a job because he wasn’t signed up for the draft. So, John asked his father to sign the papers that would let him join the service, he almost burnt the soles off John’s shoes getting him to the 5 & 10 cent store, where there was a notary to witness the signing. John was a company commander in the JROTC in high school, so he knew a little bit about the military. Two year’s reserve was enticing, so off to the reserve unit John went. He attended NTC San Diego. He was given orders to report aboard the USS Frank E Evans (DD754). Shortly after reporting aboard, he did a variety of painting jobs, they were endless. A few weeks later Evans headed to sea for shakedown training. While at sea John was assigned to paint a little square space about 3x3x3. It was two decks down in the bow of the ship, no ventilation, just paint fumes. John was getting sick when a voice called out, “Coffey”. He knew he had led a life that would not warrant the voice of God calling him home, so he answered the call and was told to report to the Lieutenant. Still trying to keep from throwing up he entered his stateroom. The lieutenant told him he had good battery test scores and would he like to become a radarman. John was staring at his shoes, trying not to throw up, this was a chance to get out of painting. He said, “Hell Yeah”. The Lt responded, “What?” Then he said “Sorry, sir, yes he would appreciate that opportunity. After being discharged, John went to work with the Atlanta Coca Cola Bottling as a route salesman and was advanced to Supervisor. He left after 15 years and ran beer routs. He eventually hired on the AT&T where he worked for a few years, until AT&T split and he went to Lucent Technologies. He became a manager, a report writer, and finally a financial analyst. John was married to Judy on December 31, 1993. He is very happy, having nothing to do but what his wife tells him to do. Kind of makes him miss the Navy.”
USS Frank E Evans
USS Frank E Evans DD 754 records indicate RDSN John David. Coffey dropped his seabag on the Quarter Deck of USS Frank E. Evans on 4 January 1963. Like those sailors before him, his on-the-job training started with a chipping hammer. The Navy knew his aspirations were higher than chipping paint on the main deck of Evans so they moved him up a few decks an introduced him to chipping paint where the wind blew harder and the air was cleaner.
John finally got his chance to be a scope dope (Radarman.) He trained and learned the duties of a Radarman for the remaining time he had in the service. John fit in with his other shipmates, he worked hard, played hard and kept is focus on completing his obligations to the US Navy in 1964.
John was sarcastic, funny, loving, and a no BS man; he told you what he thought whether you liked it or not. He loved his family, friends, grandchildren, Judy, CJ (his adored chihuahua), dirty jokes (the raunchier the better), University of Georgia and Kennesaw State football, NASCAR, and the Waffle House.
Marni tells a story that, when growing up, if she needed her dad, she would call the nearest Waffle House to his home and ask for “the man sitting alone and reading a book” to which they always handed the phone to her dad.
Fast forward to 1992, the date is September 25, 1992, the place Hilton Conference Center, DFW/Grapevine, Texas, first official USS Frank E. Evans DD 754 crew reunion. The Association had yet to be formally organized. Who pops in to meet the attendees, John D Coffey, he thought there was free beer… It was free because John was buying it.
John attended 23 reunions in the next 31 years…still looking to find the free beer. On 1 October 2014 John attended his first Board of Directors meeting as a guest. The place was the Doubletree Hotel, Seattle Washington. In 2015 in Mobil Alabama John was elected to the Board and to fill a new position as Director of Communications. John soon found out that there wasn’t any free beer at the Board meetings either.
John remained on the Board for the next 10 years providing ideas for better communication, upcoming events and ways to make the Board more effective. John volunteered for whatever and whenever, never complained (well almost never complained) and completed his projects on time. John took over the position of notifying Association members on deaths, needed prayers, upcoming events and general announcements through email. John created the very first Face Book page and posted to it until he was jailed by the Face Book Police for what they considered inappropriate postings. A task that showed his true dedication was his attendance as master of ceremony at eleven (11) of the 28 Lost 74 Memorial Stone Dedications. In addition to attending these he also took on the task of master of ceremonies for the 3 June memorial in Virginia.
Survived by:
Daughter: Marni Hicks and her husband Carl
- Step-son Steven Polvere and his wife Laura.
- Step-daughter Amber Polvere
- Grandson Jarrett Hicks and Fiancé Tabitha Brewer
- Grand daughter Jordan Keller and husband Trey Keller
Link to video of John’s Celebration of Life at Albert Gordon Post 56 American Legion in Jefferson GA: https://www.facebook.com/100000898475660/videos/938250077971081
Please fill free to leave your favorite memory in the comments below.
