Obituary of Thomas Coffin

Dr. Thomas Coffin age 72, passed away on December 29, 2013 at Dallas, TX. He was born on October 25, 1941 in Enid, OK the son of Melvin Thomas Coffin and Thelma Jean Isbell Coffin. Dr. Coffin was a 1959 graduate of Waukomis High School. He and Lynda Semrad were married in Waukomis, OK on August 16, 1964. Dr. Coffin graduated in 1965 from the Oklahoma State School of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, he was drafted in to the United States Army where he proudly served as a Captain in the Veterinary Corp. In 1968, Dr. Coffin joined Dr. Lawrence Valentine to practice at the Idabel Veterinary Clinic. Dr. Coffin loved the challenge Veterinary Medicine offered. The more difficult the case, the more he was challenged. He opened Coffin Animal Hospital in 1981 and practiced there until retiring in 2006. Dr. Coffin served on the American Veterinary Medical Association Board, President of the McCurtain County Farm Bureau and was a member of the McCurtain County Fair Board for several years. Dr. Coffin was a Bible enthusiast. He accumulated and studied numerous Bible translations. He was a deep thinker and constantly strived to know more about the Lord Jesus Christ. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Idabel, OK. He enjoyed gardening, camping and was said to be a farm antique enthusiast. But most importantly, his family came first. Dr. Coffin was an advocate for preserving family traditions. Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day, Birthdays and even simple family meals were very important to him. He was an honest, loving, forgiving, supportive and patient husband, father and grandfather. Dr. Coffin coached Summer League Girl's softball for many years as well as coaching his three daughters and three granddaughters. He was a kind, gentle but firm coach. His passion was raising show sheep and was very involved with his daughters and granddaughters in raising and showing sheep. He loved sheep shows and being involved with the FFA and 4-H programs. He was preceded in death by his parents. Dr. Coffin is survived by his wife, Lynda Coffin of the home, daughters and sons-in-law, Dayla Marie Sparks and husband, Ronny of Texarkana, TX, Myndi Lee Bolen and husband, Brent of Idabel, OK, Emeber Ashley Verkuehlen and husband Dan of Fargo, ND; grandsons, Cash Michael Sparks of Texarkana, TX and Reed Daniel Verkuehlen of Fargo, ND; granddaughters, Bay Elizabeth Bolen, Anna Marie Bolen and Autumn Grace Bolen of Idabel, OK; sister, Linda Coffin of Enid, OK; nephew, Michael Johnston and wife, Lacy of Oklahoma City, OK and great-niece, Mackenzie Johnston; niece, Jennifer Swales and husband, Jon of Las Vegas, NV; a special friend, Dick Yuhnke of Waukomis, OK as well as many friends and relatives. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 2, 2014 at the First Baptist Church in Idabel, OK with Bro. Andy Bowman officiating. Interment will follow at Canfield Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wee Care, 110 E. Main St., Idabel, OK.