James L. "Hunky" Coble

1930 - 2015

James L. Coble, 84, was welcomed into heaven by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015. Service: 2 p.m. Monday at First Baptist Church Mansfield. Interment: Mansfield Cemetery. Visitation: 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Blessing Funeral Home. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a church or charity of your choice. James was born Oct. 14, 1930, to Ivan and Ila Coble in Cedar Hill. His family moved to Mansfield when he was 5 years old. He was a lifelong resident of Mansfield and a member of First Baptist Church Mansfield. He retired from education in the Mansfield School District in 1981 where he served 20 years as a coach, teacher and principal. James "Hunky" graduated from Mansfield High School in 1948, and was also voted "Class Favorite" his senior year. He played football all through high school, always on the starting team. After graduation, his education and football career continued at Tarleton State University and East Texas State University in Commerce. Following college he served in the United States Air Force where he also played football. He was drafted by the Baltimore Colts after serving, but did not pursue a career in football. He married his wife, Dena Patrick, in 1952 and he is the father of three daughters, who also graduated from Mansfield High School. He began his teaching and coaching career in 1953. He first taught and coached in Stratford, then Daingerfield and Gladewater before being hired by Mansfield ISD in 1961. After retirement, James and Dena formed Coble Cattle Company and continued in a successful business of trading Holstein cattle. They enjoyed many years on their "little ranch" on Country Club Drive. They also enjoyed many years of playing bridge and traveling, especially in the high mountains of the western United States. In 2001 Mansfield ISD Alumni Association presented him with the "Distinguished Educator Award." In 2006 he was honored by the district naming a middle school in his honor. In 2013 he was inducted into the inaugural MISD Athletic Hall of Honor. His life has been filled with a large and loving family and extended family. His character and faith spoke volumes to his family and the community he loved and served. We are thankful to have been blessed by such an incredible and epic man. James was preceded in death by his loving wife of 45 years, Dena Coble; parents, Ila and Ivan Coble; and precious sister, Peggy Phillips. Survivors: Children, Phyllis Coble Longoria, Trecia Coble, Christy Murphy and husband, Bill; grandchildren, Jason Longoria and wife, Lauren, Jeremy Longoria, Joshua Longoria and wife, Faith, Megan Murphy and Cameron Murphy; 10 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; siblings, Joe Coble (Charlotte), Wayne Coble (Nancy), Harold Coble (Judy), Trudy Johnson (Jimmy); in-laws, Allen Phillips, Rose Creamer and Rowene Beasley; special love and close friend, Edna Phillips; and many, many loving nieces, nephews, friends and colleagues.