Paul Coffman

Paul Bernard Coffman of Utopia, Texas was found deceased in his home on Tuesday, July 5, 2016. "Uncle Bee" or "Paul Bee," as he was known to those who loved him, was 80 years old at the time of death which resulted from natural causes.

Uncle Bee was born in Huntington, West Virginia on January 24, 1936 to Emmett and Eva Coffman, the youngest of their three children. Paul faithfully served our country for twenty years, retiring as a Sergeant First Class. On June 7, 1966, Paul wed Mary Ann Simons in Hondo, Texas, to whom he was married for 45 years. After working briefly as a custodian for Utopia ISD, Paul gained employment with Texas Parks and Wildlife as a Park Ranger for Lost Maples State Park from which he ultimately retired to become full time caretaker to his ailing wife.

Paul is survived by his brother, Arnold Coffman, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; sister-in-law, Faye Thomas, of Houston, Texas; niece Brenda Saunders, of Springfield, Ohio; niece, Marsha Fensternmaker, of Daytona Beach, Florida; nephew, Dexter Rainey (Heidi), of Vanderpool, Texas; niece, Lisa Henney (Patrick), of Houston, Texas; niece, Leigh Ellis (Andy), of Cypress, Texas; great niece, Shannon Young (Russell), of San Antonio, Texas; great nephew, Ron Saunders (Mackenzie), of Decatur, Georgia; great niece, Nicole Ford (Rob), of Delaware, Ohio; great niece and nephew, Meghan and Colton Rainey, of Vanderpool, Texas; great nieces, Lara and Emily Henney, of Houston, Texas; great nephews and niece, Jack, Abby and Sam Ellis, of Cypress, Texas; and numerous great-great nieces and nephews.

Paul was pre-deceased by his wife, Mary Ann Coffman, and sister, Krestina Leonard.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, July 9, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the Utopia Baptist Church in Utopia, Texas with Brother Lee Bevly presiding. Honorary pall bearers were Josh Cantrell, Andy Ellis, JR Felkins, Justus Felkins, Micah Felkins, Rob Ford, Patrick Henney, Quelan Lancaster, David Rainey, Dexter Rainey, Shawn Rainey, Ron Saunders and Russell Young. Paul's ashes will be interned with military honors at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in honor of Paul Coffman to Utopia Baptist Church or the Utopia Emergency Medical Services. In addition, Paul's family wants to extend heartfelt gratitude to the entire family of JR and Lisa Felkins for all of the love, care and attention they showered upon Paul Bee during the last few years of his life.

Uncle Bee's life was a living example of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

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