Charles F. Coburn

Charles Frederick Coburn passed from this earth on Thursday, October 16, 2025, and was reunited with his wife Mary and daughter Kari in the beauty and grace of heaven. Chuck won the ultimate war against his cancer and lupus by spending his last three weeks at home, surrounded by his kids, an incredible Brotherhood of Masons, the support of the local community and words of love sent by phone from family and friends afar. Chuck's vocation centered around dairy farming and registered cattle. Chuck married Mary Ellen Carlson in 1971 and together founded CharMar-Vu Holsteins with farming locations in Northwestern Wisconsin during the 1970's. They continued to raise registered Holsteins while living in Perryville, KY and Wetumpka, AL during the 1980's. Chuck's keen eye for cattle and deep knowledge of pedigrees led him to career moments as a Holstein Association classifier and regional field representative, with frequent time spent in the show ring and in the sale box as the pedigree man. In 1985, Chuck founded Southern Holsten Marketing, Inc., a cooperative of dairy farmer members where he managed consignment sales, herd dispersals and private treaty sales for farmers and state breed associations throughout the southern states. Memorable moments include hosting showcase events such as the Pride of the South sales in Montgomery, AL and New Orleans, LA; co-management of the National Holstein Convention Sale in Charleston, SC; and multiple boat trips to Puerto Rico with groups of heifers from all over the south. In 1991, Chuck and Mary returned to milking cows at Aztec Dairy of Montezuma, GA until moving to Amite, LA in 2002 upon which he worked as a livestock specialist with Kentwood Coop and then in management of Windy Hill Dairy of Kentwood until his retirement. In everything, Chuck and Mary were partners and involved their four children in a true family business environment, instilling a hard work ethic, an absolute commitment to honesty and integrity, a belief in service to your community, and a genuine enjoyment of the fun in what you are doing every day. With these core values, Chuck was called to service as a Freemason and Shriner in his retirement, achieving the penultimate honor as a 33rd degree Mason, reflective of his dedication to personal growth, moral development, and service to others. Chuck found close brotherhood with others from the Masonic lodges of Amite City, Trinity Union, and Grangeville, as well as being a perpetual member of St Helena and a former member of Kentwood and Spring Creek Lodges. As a Shriner, Chuck was a member of Habbi Temple in Lake Charles, LA and Acacia Temple in Baton Rouge, LA and was honored to serve as the Potentate for Acacia. At the time of his passing, Chuck was a member of the Board of Governors for Shriners Children's Shreveport, LA. Shriners Hospitals was a cause especially close to his heart, having directly benefited from their charitable impact with multiple years of medical care provided to son, Travis, following a vehicle accident at three years of age. Furthermore, Chuck and Mary particularly enjoyed many summer trips to the Imperial Session traveling and meeting friends throughout the country, the last of which was in 2024 to Reno, NV, as part of a 3-week bucket list excursion by train to traverse the western states and visit Chuck's cousins in coastal Oregon and Washington. Additional Masonic affiliations include Scottish Rite, York Rite, Red Cross of Constantine-St Charles, Al Azzar Grottoes of North America, High Twelve International-MN, Cabiri International, Order of Amaranth, and the Grand Chapter of Louisiana Order of Eastern Star. Chuck is survived by children Angie Coburn, Shawano, WI; Travis Coburn; Shawano, WI; Carla Taylor (Bradley) and grandsons, Lee, Carl and Holden, Booneville, MS. He is further survived by siblings Mary Beth (Arne) Fremstad; Jay Coburn, Whitehall, WI; Paul (Tammie) Coburn, Whitehall, WI; Linda Gunderson, Blair, WI; and John Coburn, Newport, TN; mother-in-law Barbara Meeker, Augusta, WI; in-laws Paul (Carmen) Carlson, Wakeman, OH; Sue (Jerre) Zimmerman, Eau Claire, WI; and Nancy Buse, Augusta, WI; along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Chuck is preceded in death, by his wife Mary Coburn, daughter Kari Coburn; parents Frank and Delores Coburn; father-in-law Mervin Carlson; stepfather-in-law Stan Meeker; in-laws Dawn Coburn, Larry Gunderson, James Buse; and nephews Eric Zimmerman and Neil Coburn. The family is profoundly thankful for making the God-guided connection with Mark Malkemus of Foundations Hospice and the intelligent, compassionate, and dignified care given to Dad by the Foundations team of Ashley, Melanie, Kim, Aapri, Angelle, Keisha, and Haley. We are further thankful for the many years of support and care from Anna Stogner, Greg Leyer and Kyle King of CenterWell Home Health. Love and gratitude are expressed to special friends Luke Catalanotto, Tommy Lindsay, Keith Dawson, Colin Bamber, Sandy and Roxanne Jones, the Lingoni family, Mike Neal, and Joe and Kim Yargo. Visitation beginning at 11:00 AM and Memorial service with Masonic funeral rites at 2:00 PM will be held Saturday, November 22 at Brandon G Thomspon Funeral Home, Hammond, LA. Family and friends will also be received for a casual meal at the Amite City Masonic Lodge at following the service from 4:00-6:00 PM. A private burial of remains will be held the day after. Those wishing to make a charitable donation in remembrance of Chuck's devotion to helping others in need may send a memorial contribution to Shriners Children's Shreveport Office of Philanthropy, 3100 Samford Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71103.