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Louis Coira Obituary
MAJOR GENERAL COIRA
Major General Louis E. Coira died peacefully at home surrounded by his family, Sunday, October 11, 2009. He was ninety-three years old and was born in Bloomsburg, PA, April 25, 1916. He graduated from Lock Haven High School, PA, in 1933, and from the US Military Academy at West Point in 1938. Lou first came to San Antonio for Army Air Corps flight training at Randolph Field and received his pilot wings at Kelly Field, TX, 1939, and served as an instructor there until April 1941. At the outbreak of World War II, he commanded a squadron of B-17 bombers sent to create an airstrip at Salinas, Ecuador, and to protect the Panama Canal Zone. There he met Ellen Holst, his loving wife of 64 years. Later he became commander of the 40th Bomb Group, the 1st B-29 unit overseas during WWII and flew the hump over the Himalayas from India to China in order to fly missions over Japan. From 1947 to May 1958, Lou Coira was stationed in New York, Alabama, Randolph AFB, TX, McConnell AFB, KS and Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, as base commander, Commander of 5039th Air Base Wing and also Commander of the 10th Air Division, and served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations of the Alaskan Air Command. Lou served twice at the Pentagon, being assigned to the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff Operations, and in 1959, as a Deputy Director, Office of the Secretary of Defense. In 1962 Lou was reassigned to Kelly AFB, TX, as Deputy Commander of the Air Force Security Service becoming Commander in 1965. In 1969 he was assigned as Vice Commander of the 5th Air Force at Fuchu Air Station, Japan. He retired on July 1, 1971, and became a Vice President of Alamo National Bank from September 1971 to July 1979. Lou is preceded in death by his wife, Ellen, and grandson, Ted Dinwoodie. He is survived by his daughter, Christine Dinwoodie (Peter) three sons, Peter (Rebecca), Paul (Charlene) and Mark (Maria) Coira; six grandchildren, Anne-Marie (Tim), Alec, Elizabeth (Dan), Jeannie, Stephen, and Lauren. He was a life-long hunter, expert bird dog trainer, and founding member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church (6680 Crestway Dr, San Antonio). ROSARY AND PUBLIC
RECEPTION
THURSDAY
OCTOBER 15, 2009
6:30 P.M.
ST. JOHN NEUMANN
CATHOLIC CHURCH
6680 CRESTWAY
FUNERAL MASS
FRIDAY
OCTOBER 16, 2009
11:30 A.M.
ST. JOHN NEUMANN
CATHOLIC CHURCH
Entombment in Holy Cross Cemetery
You are invited to sign The guestbook at www.porterloring.com
Arrangements with:
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Spencer Hendron
May 5, 2019
I was a junior USAFSS officer in West Berlin under General Coira's command and will always have a profound respect for this great man. Deeply saddened to learn of his passing. Clear skies and rest in peace sir.
Leticia Van de Putte
October 30, 2009
It is with deepest sadness that I extend my condolences to you on the loss of your beloved.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations, I am sincerely thankful for his valiant service and dedication to our great country.
May the love and the wonderful memories you shared with him help you when you need it most. He will never be forgotten, and your family will be remembered in my prayers.
Darr King, CMSgt (Ret)
October 15, 2009
It was an honor to serve in the USAF Security Service during General Coira's tenure as Commander. One of the finest commander's Security Service ever had. Payers are with the family.
Roy Ball
October 15, 2009
I will remember his humor when he would ask for 1/2 a chicken at our monthly church men's organization event and he made us laugh. roy ball parishoner
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Phil Castaneda
October 15, 2009
Heartening to see that he served his Country with Honor and also had the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of his labor. Well Done, Be thou at Peace.
Daniel Coonan
October 15, 2009
General Coira was an active and current member of the West Point Society of South Texas. He was always on the sign up list for events such as the Founders Day dinner. He was proud of being a graduate and maintained a strong set of values he formed there: Duty, Honor, and Country. Well done, Sir. Be Thou at Peace. (Dan Coonan '66, WPSST Director)
October 15, 2009
What an amazing journey, Louis paved in the life for himself and his family.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
~Amy (a childhood friend of the granddaughter, Beth Coira)
Robin Neal
October 15, 2009
Louis and Ellen were our wonderful neighbors for many years and we were blessed to have them be a part of our lives. I'll never forget getting stuck on the roof (scared stiff) and he came over & climbed up a ladder to help me down (I was 35, he was 80!!!). Loved them dearly.... My prayers are with the family now in rememberance. God Bless you all.
Tracey Stephenson
October 14, 2009
The few times that I had met him when I was a child, I remember a very kind man. I was quite impressed with who he was and his accomplishments. I wish I could have spent more time getting to know him, but geographical issues were always a problem. My thoughts and prayers are with your family in this time of grief.
I am Tracey Gilligan Stephenson, the oldest daughter of Louis F. Gilligan; Cincinnati, OH.
October 14, 2009
The family in Italy will deeply miss Louis and is near the Coira cousins with its prayers in this moment of sorrow.
Ferruccio, Andrea with Carla and family, Roberto with Maria Antonietta, Elvio with Lori and Francesca, and all the rest of the Coiras in Villa Guardia.
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