George Coffee

George Newton Coffee, Jr.
December 14, 1927 - December 1, 2009

George N. Coffee, Jr., 81, of Robinson, passed away Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at Providence Medical Center. Services will be 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at OakCrest Funeral Home Chapel with Father Timothy Vaverek officiating.

Congressman Chet Edwards will deliver the eulogy.

Due to the weather, the Military Honors from the U. S. Army will be conducted in the chapel with burial later at Waco Memorial Park.

The visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd.

George was born December 14, 1927 in Dawson to George N. Coffee, Sr. and Sally (Deatherage) Coffee. He attended school in West and Ross, where he played basketball. After school he worked at General Tire in 1950 until he entered the U. S. Army in 1953 where he served with the Military Police until discharged in 1955. He then returned to General Tire as a mechanic until he retired in 1985.

He married Florence Mier on March 10, 1956. She preceded him in death on October 18, 2004. On February 17, 2007 he married Marilyn Wilde of Robinson. They enjoyed dancing and traveling together until his accident in July.

George was a member of the Herring Masonic Lodge, No. 1224. He was also a member of the United Rubber Worker's, Local 312, where he served as a union representative. He spent many hours volunteering at Waco Family Y. He was a member of Geneva Hall Parish Club.

George was very active in the Democratic Party, serving as a delegate to State and National Conventions. He volunteered many hours to the local Democratic party especially to U. S. Congressman Chet Edwards.

His favorite past times included boating and water skiing in his early years. After his retirement he enjoyed playing dominoes, volunteering and spending time with his grandchildren. He was a devoted grandfather and uncle.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Edmond Coffee.

George is survived by his wife, Marilyn Wilde-Coffee of Robinson; Step-son, Leslie Mann and wife, Sherry; brothers, Carl Coffee and wife, Evelyn, Cecil Coffee and wife, Jane; sister, Mary Alice Zeman and husband, Bob; grandchildren, Lesley Nielsen and husband, Hap, Lori Dickson and husband, Tom, and Russell Mann and wife, Jena; great-grandchildren, Nicole Nielsen, Jessica Dickson, James Dickson Austin Mann, Joseph Mann, John David Mann and Katie Mann; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He also is survived by his step-family, Shelley and Gary Walker, Gary Wilde, Mark Wilde, and, Sandra Wilde; step-grandchildren, Michael Hennig and wife, Sara, Melissa Jaster and husband, JD, Kyle Wollard, Lindsey Wollard, Dewayne Wilde and wife, Christie, Brandon Wilde, and Daniel Wilde-Berry; step-great grandchildren, Tyler and Tanner Jaster.

Pallbearers will be Russell Mann, Hap Nielsen, Tom Dickson, Paul Coffee, Mark Zeman, Sterling Cable, David Cable and Mark Wilde.

The family would like to thank everyone involved in his care over the past several months, especially The Courtyard at Hewitt Nursing Rehabilitation Center.

Memorials may be made to Providence Hospice, 4830 Lakewood Dr. Suite 2, Waco, TX 76710.