Edward F. Coffman, Jr., retired minister, died Monday, July 17th, at the age of 95. Dr. Coffman was born in Russellville, Kentucky on Second Street January 25, 1922, the oldest son of Reverend Edward F.Coffman and Emma Hill Coffman. He attended Russellville High School, graduating at the age of 16. He went on to Vanderbilt University, where he earned the AB in History in 1942 and subsequently earned his BD from Vanderbilt Divinity School in 1945. A life-long learner, he later earned his Master’s in Guidance from Northeast Missouri State Teacher’s College in 1968 and his Doctorate in Ministry from Vanderbilt in 1972. As an ordained minister of the Christian Church, he served as student pastor at Christian Churches in Daysville, Bethlehem, and Sinking Fork, all in Kentucky. His full time ministry began at First Christian Church in Columbia, Missouri as Associate Pastor and Campus Minister from 1946 to 1958. He then went to Kirksville, Missouri as senior pastor of First Christian Church from 1958 to 1967. He next served the congregation of First Christian Church Madisonville, Kentucky from 1967 until his retirement in 1987. He was later recognized by this church as Minister Emeritus. From 1972 through 1987, he also served as Director of Development for Christian Church Homes of Kentucky, a special calling of his that he continued to support throughout his life. He also served as President of the Christian Churches in Kentucky from 1979 – 1980. Never one to slow down, he continued after retirement to serve in the role of interim minister for Middlesboro, Kentucky, Huntsville, Alabama, Greenville, Kentucky, Bowling Green, Kentucky, Paducah, Kentucky, Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Guthrie, Kentucky. Dr. Coffman will long be remembered as a local historian in Logan County. He preserved the county’s history in a sequel to his father’s earlier accounting. He published “Through My Father’s Eyes, a History of Logan County” in 2004 and later published his auto-biography “Happy Years and Many More” in 2012. He also penned the Russellville First Christian Church history and wrote the narration for Logan County Kentucky, a Pictorial History. Committed to service beyond his ministry, he was a 50 plus year member of Kiwanis, and was the Lt. Governor of Kiwanis Kentucky-Tennessee District in 2003 through 2004. He served as a formal mentor to young clergy, was active with Habitat for Humanity, Historic Russellville, and the local Chamber of Commerce. Always an adventurer and lover of life, Dr. Coffman lived every day to the fullest. Whether riding camels in Egypt, exploring Europe, or visiting friends and family, he and his wife traveled the world. They visited every state and camped in most of them. He shared his passion for learning by leading youth outreach tours, trips to Israel and Europe, and was a leader in the Boy Scouts. He remained engaged in his community attending concerts and special events, donating his time and energy to special causes, and as an active participant in the Silver Sneakers exercise class. He loved sports and was an avid Vanderbilt athletics fan, celebrating his 95th birthday at a game in January. In an article reflecting on his life, he commented he wasn’t a great orator, but his passion and gift was being a pastor to his congregations. He never stopped being a pastor as he continued to call in person and via phone any and all who needed care. Dr. Coffman is survived by three daughters, Cathie Paluch and her husband, Peter, of Oneonta, New York, Carol L. Coffman of Mill Valley, California, and Connie Hitchcock and her husband, Ed, of Whitefish, Montana, two grandchildren, Stefanie and Peter Paluch of Oneonta; a nephew Bradley Coffman and his wife Lori, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, a niece, Beth Campbell, of Louisville, Kentucky, grandnieces, Laura Griggs, Jennifer Pardon, and Katie Beth Coffman, and his fourth “daughter” Ashley Collier. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of sixty years, Carol Jean Coffman, his parents, a brother Robert Bradley Coffman, and a sister Emma Hill Coffman. The funeral is at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 22nd at First Christian Church, Russellville with burial in Maple Grove Cemetery. Visitation is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at the Coffman home, 106 West Seventh Street, and again at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church. There is no visitation at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the First Christian Church Russellville Kentucky, Kiwanis Club of Russellville Kentucky, or the Christian Care Communities of Kentucky. Young Funeral Home, Russellville Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.