Larry Gene Coffman

Larry Gene Coffman, 77, died Saturday, July 6, 2024 at his cabin in New Mexico. A Celebration of his Life will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday July 13, 2024 in the Garden Room at Faith Covenant Church, formerly the 1st Methodist Church, with Rev. Don Boren officiating. The family will receive friends Friday from 5:00 until 7:00 at the funeral home.

Larry was born January 30, 1947 in Brady, TX to Clarence James Coffman and Eldred S. Alexander Coffm,an. He met Joyce Ellen McReynolds while they were in school at McMurry College and they were married November 29, 1969 in Abilene, TX by their fathers, who were both ministers. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Fritch and enjoyed fishing in New Mexico. Larry served as County Commissioner from 2009-2020 in Hutchinson County. He was a man that believed all people were worthy of equal respect, as Superintendent of schools he knew that all employees were of equal importance.

He earned his Bachelor's Degree in 1969 at McMurry College where he went on a football scholarship and began coaching at Santa Anna, TX followed by years at Tulia, Round Rock, and back to Tulia. Once he was back in Tulia he completed his Master's Degree in Education Administration and became Assistant High School Principal, then Principal. In 1981, he moved his family to Borger as the High School Principal then Superintendent. Borger has been home ever since.

Many people who work in public education cite a "call to serve" as the driving factor that led them to their chosen careers. For Larry Coffman, that call led him not only into the superintendent's office, but also to serve beyond his retirement. He continued to work as a member services representative for the Texas Association of School Administrators (and presently as an executive superintendent).

Larry's father was a preacher, so public service runs in his blood. He didn't originally set out to become an administrator, but first started working as a teacher/coach in several Texas public school districts. Eventually, he wound up in Borger ISD, a 4A district nestled way up yonder in the Panhandle. It was there that Coffman served as a principal for three years, then deputy superintendent for one year, followed by an 18-year stint as the superintendent before retiring in 2003.

During his time as Borger ISD superintendent, the district received the Outstanding Board Award from TASA, something that makes him proud to this day. "My longevity at the district was because of that good school board," Larry has said. "I was so pleased they received that honor." Also, Larry was honored individually as Superintendent of the Year for Region 16 in 1992.

One of Larry's qualities that was most admired among TASA members was the way he treated all superintendents equally, no matter what size the school district. One friend was quoted as saying “I remember being a new, small school superintendent when Larry was serving in Borger ISD. I always admired him for allowing us to be just as important as anyone else. He is truly a great man and a strong supporter of schools, TASA and ESCs. We are fortunate that he is one of us." 

Of all his roles in life, he especially relished his role as “Pop” to his grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Walter James Coffman. 

Larry is survived by his wife of fifty-four years Ellen, his son Ron Coffman and his wife Andrea of Gaithersburg, MD, his daughter Jodi Beth Roden and her husband Chris of Pampa, his four grandchildren Ryan Roden, Bethany Rohrbach, Frances Coffman and Eleni Coffman, and his brother Billy Wayne Coffman of Sanford, FL.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations be made to McMurry University, 1400 Sayles Blvd., Abilene, TX 79605 or mcm.edu athletic scholarships in Larry's name or 1st United Methodist Church in Fritch, 403 S. Cornell, Fritch, TX 79036.