Jyles J. Coggins

Jyles Jackson (Jack) Coggins
Raleigh
Jyles Jackson (Jack) Coggins passed away to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 25, 2011, after a long life devoted to serving others. Though his body had grown weak from illness, he retained his sharp sense of humor through his last days. His passing was peaceful, in the presence of love.
The former Raleigh mayor was born in Mooresville, N.C. on January 10, 1921, the third of five children. Both parents worked at the Kannapolis cotton mill, but the pay was meager and the family was often hungry. Upon the death of his father, thirteen-year-old Jack left home to find work in Statesville on a farm. From those early years of sending his wages back home to feed his family, he began his life long habit of assisting others. Throughout the Depression, he labored continuously wherever employment could be found, driven by a determination to succeed and provide that also proved to be a life-long characteristic.
His start in Raleigh was launched when he was hired by the Norfolk Southern railroad as a brakeman. Although non-lucrative, he especially enjoyed this job. In later years he told his children that he wondered how different their lives would have been had he remained with the railroad, given the hard work required, yet lesser demands on his attention and energy. He was always determined that his children would never experience the privations of his childhood, and never stopped seeking better opportunities.
He enlisted in the Marines in the beginning of WWII, knowing that the military would offer him both educational advantages and the opportunity to acquire new skills, as well as the chance to serve his country. Though he was not of a temperament that enjoyed following orders, Coggins was a man of fierce personal discipline and excelled in service as a Marine. Promoted to 1st Lieutenant, he became a Naval Aviator for the Marine Corps and served as a pilot, flying missions in the Pacific during WWII. Coggins loved flying and continued to pilot a small twin engine well into his seventh decade, to the occasional consternation of his family. His wartime reputation earned him the nickname "Bomber Jack," which, to Coggins' great amusement, was resurrected during his political career in a cartoon by Dwayne Powell. Yet his service was also a matter of pride and dedication. He was awarded Air Medals eight times, and became one of the few to earn two Distinguished Flying Crosses. Two of his grandsons have honored their grandfather's example by their enlistment in the Marines. His granddaughter has also married a Marine.
Following the war, Coggins returned to Raleigh, and began to work in construction, eventually opening and developing multiple businesses throughout the city, including Dob's Inc., Coggins Construction Company, Lyon Company, Raleigh Memorial Park, and Security Bonded Warehouse. Construction was not just a job to Coggins, but a passion. Family members recall that when he traveled, he was most fascinated by the buildings of a given city, greatly admiring the hard work and craftsmanship evidenced in their construction. His final construction was the seven story marble mausoleum located at Raleigh Memorial Park, that he built to commemorate his beloved wife Frances.
In addition to his buildings and businesses, Coggins contributed through public service. Before he became Mayor of Raleigh, he served five terms in the North Carolina General Assembly – three in the House of Representatives, followed by two terms in the Senate. During his membership in the General Assembly, he was known as a strong advocate for laws that would benefit those with special needs. He was instrumental in the founding of the Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities.
Although Jack's success as a businessman took him far from his beginning as a farmhand, he never forgot his life back in Iredell County. After a daughter gave him a book of history about life in a mill town in the twenties and thirties, he purchased copies to distribute to the others. He said he wanted his children and grandchildren to understand how his values were shaped by an environment far removed from the comforts and security that he had provided for them.
Jack was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Frances Katherine Lyon Coggins, whom he has now joined, after 16 years of separation. His love for his wife was one of his most defining characteristics, and to the great sadness of friends and family, he never ceased to grieve her loss.
Also preceding him in death were his parents, James Lee Coggins and Jeanette Arney Coggins, and his brothers Henry Curlee Coggins and Charles Gray Coggins. He is survived by his two sisters, Ann Coggins Westerdahl (Brad) and Ruth "Frankie" Coggins Langdale.
He is deeply mourned by five daughters and their spouses: Frances Rebecca Coggins-Gibson, Anna Katherine Coggins-Tuttle Sherman (Al), Deborah Lyon Coggins Schmidt (Charles), Jyles Jacqueline Coggins Gholizadeh (Mohammed), and Judy Carolyn Coggins Petropoulos (George). He was grandfather to fifteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild: Dallas Katherine Tuttle, Morgan Anna Tuttle, Lauren Louise Tuttle, Justin Glen Tuttle, Dexter Jyles Tuttle, Jessica Lyon Schmidt, Zachary Paul Schmidt, Chasson Ashel Schmidt, Frances Afsaneh Gholizadeh, Cyrus Jackson Gholiazdeh, Cleo Sarah Gholizadeh, Genevieve Reza Gholizadeh, Milo Atticus Petropoulos, Ivan Ilias Petropoulos, Asa Arcadius Petropoulos and Colt Jackson Etheridge.
He also leaves behind numerous, much loved nieces and nephews. To some of those, he was Uncle Jack. To many he was known as Uncle "Dob", which was an affectionate nickname that followed him from a childhood penchant for playing in the mud, like a "mud-dauber."
The family wishes to thank all of his caregivers, who have been so devoted to him, especially Wanda Simpson, Josephine Cross, Tonya Gardner and Robert Dowbiggin. We also want to express our deep appreciation to David Lee, who has been such a close companion, helper, and confidante to him, and made his life so much better as he struggled daily with the limitations placed on him by illness. David's abiding friendship has been a blessing to us all.
The funeral service will be Tuesday, August 30th, 2:00 PM, North Ridge Bible Chapel, 7100 Harps Mill Rd., Raleigh, officiated by Pastor John F. Gordon. Burial will follow at Raleigh Memorial Park.
Family will receive friends from 5:00-8:00 PM, Monday, at Bryan Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Rd., Raleigh (832-8225).
Memorial contributions may be made to Raleigh Rescue Mission, 314 E. Hargett St., Raleigh, NC 27601.
Condolences may be sent to www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com