James Raymond Cofer
July 8, 1921 ~ August 27, 2019 (age 98) 98 Years Old
Tribute
James Raymond Cofer, Jr., of Tullahoma, Tennessee passed away on Tuesday , August 27, 2019, at Brookedale of Tullahoma. He was born on July 8, 1921, in Georgetown, Meigs County, Tennessee.
He was a textile executive, employed by Signal Knitting Mills in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for 38 years. He retired as Vice President of Manufacturing from Signal Knitting Mills. Jim and his family was proud of his service for this country, having served in World War II and in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Mugford for a period of 3 years, 6 months and 29 days. The Mugford earned 9 campaign Battle Stars for service in Guadalcanal, eastern New Guinea Operations, Bismark Archipealago Operations, Marianas Operations, Saipan, Tinian capture, Guam, Western Caroline Islands, Palau, Philippines, Leyte Gulf, Luzon, Formosa, Iwo Jima, Battle of Surigao Straight, Lingayen Gulf Landing, and many more Islands, including Turkey Shoot. The Mugford was paused off the coast of Nagasaki, Japan, immediately after the atomic bombs were dropped. The Mugford was awaiting assault, but the atomic bombs stopped the war. He was ranked as a Fire Control Officer First Class, Optical and Radar. He was awarded decorations for American Theatre, Philippines Liberation, Asiatic Pacific, World War II Occupation Japan, Good Conduct Medal, and seven Combat Stars.
Before moving to Tullahoma, Tennessee, Jim was a member of Red Bank Church of Christ, then, of White Oak Church of Christ, both in Chattanooga, TN.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James Raymond Cofer, Sr., and Effie Conner Cofer; four sisters: Frankie Standridge, Wilba Poole, Dorothy Harris, and Geraldine Harris.
He is survived by his wife of over 72 years, Eva Kerr Cofer; daughter Carolyn (Dan) Thomas of Tullahoma, Tennessee; son Richard A. (Debra ) Cofer of Marietta, GA; one grandson, Chuck (Ann) Thomas of Indianapolis, IN; one granddaughter, Laura Cofer of Marietta, GA; and one great-granddaughter, Madeline Thomas of Indianapolis, IN. He is also survived by four brothers: Donald Lee Cofer, Taylor Cofer, Bryant A. Cofer, Douglas Cofer and one sister, Faye Roark, and sever nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Friday August 30, 2019 from 12:00 to 1:30pm at the funeral home. A graveside service will follow at 2:00pm in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the entire staff of Brookedale of Tullahoma and Compassus Hospice for their loving care, and a special thank you to Compassus volunteer Kathleen Shea for the many hours she sat with Jim when needed.
Arrangements entrusted to Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, TN, 37415 www.lanefh.com 423-877-3524
He was a textile executive, employed by Signal Knitting Mills in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for 38 years. He retired as Vice President of Manufacturing from Signal Knitting Mills. Jim and his family was proud of his service for this country, having served in World War II and in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Mugford for a period of 3 years, 6 months and 29 days. The Mugford earned 9 campaign Battle Stars for service in Guadalcanal, eastern New Guinea Operations, Bismark Archipealago Operations, Marianas Operations, Saipan, Tinian capture, Guam, Western Caroline Islands, Palau, Philippines, Leyte Gulf, Luzon, Formosa, Iwo Jima, Battle of Surigao Straight, Lingayen Gulf Landing, and many more Islands, including Turkey Shoot. The Mugford was paused off the coast of Nagasaki, Japan, immediately after the atomic bombs were dropped. The Mugford was awaiting assault, but the atomic bombs stopped the war. He was ranked as a Fire Control Officer First Class, Optical and Radar. He was awarded decorations for American Theatre, Philippines Liberation, Asiatic Pacific, World War II Occupation Japan, Good Conduct Medal, and seven Combat Stars.
Before moving to Tullahoma, Tennessee, Jim was a member of Red Bank Church of Christ, then, of White Oak Church of Christ, both in Chattanooga, TN.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James Raymond Cofer, Sr., and Effie Conner Cofer; four sisters: Frankie Standridge, Wilba Poole, Dorothy Harris, and Geraldine Harris.
He is survived by his wife of over 72 years, Eva Kerr Cofer; daughter Carolyn (Dan) Thomas of Tullahoma, Tennessee; son Richard A. (Debra ) Cofer of Marietta, GA; one grandson, Chuck (Ann) Thomas of Indianapolis, IN; one granddaughter, Laura Cofer of Marietta, GA; and one great-granddaughter, Madeline Thomas of Indianapolis, IN. He is also survived by four brothers: Donald Lee Cofer, Taylor Cofer, Bryant A. Cofer, Douglas Cofer and one sister, Faye Roark, and sever nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Friday August 30, 2019 from 12:00 to 1:30pm at the funeral home. A graveside service will follow at 2:00pm in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the entire staff of Brookedale of Tullahoma and Compassus Hospice for their loving care, and a special thank you to Compassus volunteer Kathleen Shea for the many hours she sat with Jim when needed.
Arrangements entrusted to Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, TN, 37415 www.lanefh.com 423-877-3524
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