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BORN
1931
DIED
2008
Edward Coggins Obituary
Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 7, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 2920 Azle Ave. Interment: 1 p.m. in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, Lane B, with full military honors. Visitation: 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Biggers Funeral Home, 6100 Azle Ave.
Memorials: Seasons Hospice, 5237 N. Riverside Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76137, or to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, Texas 76030.
Ed was born Sept. 26, 1931, in Portsmouth, Va. As a boy during World War II, he looked to the skies as they buzzed with military aircraft in the Hampton Roads area. It became his dream to fly. He received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., graduating in 1953. That was also the year he married the love of his life, the former Joan Marie Hayes.
His dream of flying became reality in 1954. The "Cougar" (his call sign) was a fighter pilot for most of his 26 years in the Air Force, serving two combat tours in Vietnam and commanding the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron from 1971-1973. Ed retired in 1979 at the rank of colonel and moved with Joan to Fort Worth.
In civilian life, Ed worked as a computer and management consultant, and as a professor of military history at the American Military University. He authored two books, a history of fighter aviation, "Wings That Stay On," and a biography of Civil War Gen. George Thomas, "Virginian in Blue." He was also a frequent contributor to the Letters to the Editor section of the Star-Telegram, forcefully presenting his opinions about anything remotely "liberal."
Coogie, as his grandchildren called him, loved and lived with passion. He loved his God, his wife, his children, his grandchildren, the Texas Rangers, the Dallas Cowboys, airplanes, cars and a good book. The Cougar is now signing off on his last flight.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Edwina Coggins Holland, and his beloved grandson, U.S. Army Pvt. 1st Class Benjamin Gerald Berry.
Survivors: His beloved wife of 54 years, Joan; daughter, Denny and her husband, Gary Berry; daughter, Kathy and her husband, Dave Phillips; daughter, Patti and her husband, Joel Bonfiglio; daughter, Shari and her husband, Ty Seidule; daughter, Laurie and her husband, Todd Arnold; grandchildren, Laura, Tom, Kacie, Tyler, Peter, Sam, Wade and Andy; nephew, Bob; and nieces, Joy and Debbie.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Edward Coggins
Roberta A Russell(Crevoiserat)
February 28, 2025
Always a memory to share of your loved one. I appreciate your loving family.
Roberta Crevoiserat Russell
Laurence (Larry) Crevoiserat (1996)
LEE SPARKS
March 12, 2008
I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR OF THIS. I AM WITH MY MOTHER IN MEADVILLE VISITING PETE SHAFER WHO HAS PANCREATIC CANCER. WE WERE PASSING GROVE CITY WHEN MY MOTHER MENTIONED THAT SHE HAD NOT HEARD FROM THE COGGINS THIS YEAR AND THAT SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT. I SEARCHED ON LINE AND FOUND THE OBITUARY. I WILL TELL HER TOMMOROW. I AM SO SORRY!!....LEE SPARKS.... MY BEST TO YOU, DENNY AND THE FAMILY
Robbie Crevoiserat Russell
March 11, 2008
I was sorry to read of Ed's death. He was such a good friend and Classmate to Larry Crevoiserat. We always looked forward to class event while living in the Dallas area. Ed was always gracious and kind. He will be missed greatly. My prayers are with all the family at this time.
Jan Blake
March 7, 2008
Joan,
Although it has been awhile since I last saw you, Becky (Bailey - my daughter) informed me of Ed's death, and I want to extend my sincere condolences to you and your family. He was a wonderful man and I have fond memories of him. He was blessed to have you as a wife and to be the father of wonderful children and grandchildren. My prayers are with you in the days ahead.
Kay Adepegba, Seasons Hospice
March 7, 2008
I'm so sorry I wasn't able to come to Ed's funeral but I'm sending you my love now.
Karen Burnell, Bereavement Coordinator
March 6, 2008
Our thoughts are with you during these difficult days. We were honored to be a part of Edward's care and are always available to you. May God give you comfort and peace each day.
The staff of Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care
Harley Scoggins
March 6, 2008
Some people spend an entire lifetime without meeting a friend like Ed Coggins. How luckey I was to share a small part of his life. May God receive his soul and bless his family.
Steven Bailey
March 5, 2008
Ed Coggins came into my life when I was about one year of age. He and my father were stationed together at Clark Air Force Base in 1958. He and Joan and my own parents were starting their families and their adventures at the dawn of the Jet Age. Ed and Joan have been a part of our family’s lives ever since.
Ed Coggins was my father's very dearest friend. In their later years they would often talk with their hands in a kind of animated language that only fellow fighter pilots could truly understand. My father's admiration for "Cougar" was complete and unabridged.
My own relationship with “the Colonel” was one built on respect for what he had done as a graduate of the Military Academy and as an Air Force combat fighter pilot in Vietnam and as a published author and professor of military history. My own career as a fighter pilot in the Marine Corps was a pale comparison to his and I envied his experiences which he readily shared with me, his best friend's son. I suppose that look in his eyes as we talked was because of a memory of he and my father passing over him and those early, simpler joyful days.
Ed has left a wide clear path for those who will follow that is marked by love, knowledge, intellectual curiosity, faith, patriotism, and kindness.
Ed, here's to fast jets, clear skies, tailwinds and plentiful bogies!
Vicki Rankin
March 5, 2008
It was my pleasure to have worked with Ed after his retirement and during his computer consulting years. He was one of the finest men I have ever known. His love for his God, his family and his country were evident. He came and addressed by DAR chapter and they were thrilled to have been in the presence of such a great American. My condolences and prayers to the Coggins family.
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