Leland Latrill Coggan

Leland "Lee" Latrill Coggan, Jr., of Dallas, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2025. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Patricia Conner Coggan, his son Robert Leslie Coggan, his daughter, Sharon Lee Coggan McBride, and five grandchildren: Laura Root, Samantha Coggan, Patricia Coggan, Conner McBride and Maggie Lee McBride. He was preceded in death by his parents Leland Latrill Coggan, Sr. and Dorothy Irene Kiggins Coggan and his brothers Terry Coggan and Alan Coggan.

A redheaded Irish-American, Lee graduated from Kirkwood High School (MO) and then attended Texas Christian University (TCU), where he earned a BA in Government and was President of his Freshman and Senior Classes. Lee played on the Freshman Basketball Team, was the Manager of the Men's Varsity Basketball Team and worked on radio broadcasts of TCU football games. A very proud Horned Frog, Lee served in many roles after graduation including being President of the Alumni Association's Quinq Club.

Upon the onset of the Korean War, Lee joined the U.S. Marine Corps and rose in the ranks to become a 2nd Lieutenant. In 1953, he was deployed to South Camp Fuji, Japan, where he served with the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment and was an infantry Platoon Leader. All his life Lee was a proud Marine and role modeled the discipline, character and the bearing he learned from the Marine Corps. He was a peaceful warrior.

Lee earned a Juris Doctor Degree from Southern Methodist University (SMU) Law School and was a member of the Phi Delta legal fraternity. He relished his law school education so later was active with its Alumni Association and was a member of the Town & Gown association.

During law school summers, Lee worked in the New Mexico oil fields. One summer, he met Patricia Conner in a restaurant in Durango, CO. They were married on July 26, 1958.

His law career began with Burford, Ryburn and Ford and then he joined the law firm of Shank, Dedman and Coggan. During this time, he became a Master Mason in Highland Park Lodge No. 1150, a member of the Scottish Rite Masonry and the Hella Temple Shrine.

Lee departed the practice of law and embarked on a career in investment banking at Smith Barney & Co. in New York City and Dallas. He established the first hedge fund in Texas, Lee Coggan and Associates, LTD, and later started Coggan & Co. Inc., a securities brokerage firm.

An enthusiastic basketball fan, Lee was part of the ownership group that brought professional basketball to Dallas in 1967. The Dallas Chaparrals of the American Basketball Association later became the San Antonio Spurs.

A lifelong Republican and patriot, Lee was proud to receive an appointment from President George H. W. Bush to be the Executive Director of the U.S. Savings Bonds Division of the U.S. Treasury leading it during the Gulf War and its 50th anniversary. During his tenure, bond sales experienced record growth so the soldiers of the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, N.C. gave him The Iron Mike Award for distinguished service to the U.S. Army.

Lee was a faithful member of Fifth Church of Christ, Scientist and served on their Board for many years. He was an advocate of the principles of classical liberalism and was a longtime member of the Cato Institute in Washington, DC. Lee studied stoic philosophy in his later years.

Lee was a lifelong member of the Brook Hollow Golf Club. He served as Vice President of the Board of the Dallas Theater Center and was an avid supporter of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and the Dallas Opera. He was also a founding member of the Fisher House Committee of the Dallas Veterans Hospital and a member of Texas Old Missions and Forts Restoration Association.

A memorial service honoring Leland Coggan will be held on September 4, 2025 at 1:30pm at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church in Dallas.

If desired, contributions would be appreciated to the following organizations:

TCU Athletics

https://advancement.tcu.edu/new/onlinegiving/tribute

P.O.Box 2970

Ft. Worth, TX. 76129

the Dedman School of Law at SMU

(www.smu.edu/ignited/ways-to-give/dedman-law)

P.O. Box 750116

Dallas, TX 75275-0116

Marine Corps Heritage Foundation

(www.marineheritage.org )

1775 Semper Fidelis Way

Triangle, VA 22172