George Dorsey Coffey

George Coffey, age 83, of Fayetteville, Arkansas passed away on May 5, 2023 at Fayetteville Veteran’s Home. A private family service was held on May 18, 2023 at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home.

 

George was born on June 6, 1939, in Sulphur Springs, Texas to William Buford and Mary Jane (Clapp) Coffey. He entered the US Air Force at 17 years old. George spent 30 years in service gaining the rank of Chief Master Sergeant as a flight engineer, He did tours in Vietnam, “Flying in beer and bullets and flying out the bodies of our boys” (his words). George also did tours in Germany during the cold war flying in spy AWACS missions to gain intel for our government and was part of an elite crew called the Berlin for Lunch Bunch, because of the frequency of the missions. He never jumped out of a plane and always says there was no point in leaving a perfectly good airplane. Instead, he safely brought damaged and shot up planes down with crews intact 3 times.

 

After retiring from the Air Force, he joined the private sector at McDonald Douglas as an instructor teaching the next generation everything he knew. In his 50s he went to a university earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. After college and McDonald Douglas, he moved to Eureka Springs and bought Bear Mountain Log Cabins. He built from the ground up and by hand. It was a 12-stall barn and dude ranch that is now Bear Mountain Riding Stables. George gave the community trail rides and haunted hayrides on eleven of the most beautiful horses he called his “babies.” George volunteered and finally became Fire Chief of the Inspiration Point Fire Department while also volunteering at the Eureka Springs Fire Department as a fireman, paramedic, and EMT.

 

As many of you know him to be an incorrigible flirt, a typical Air Force flyboy, he gained a few wives along the way. He was always the most kind, loving, and gentle husband you could imagine. He also has two daughters and stepchildren who he raised with patience and wisdom. He has always loved and cherished them. George played a large part in the upbringing of his grandson, that he loved dearly. He has almost a dozen children across the country who have been named after him out of love and respect; some related to him and some not.

 

George has given his entire life to his country, his community, and his family. He is an example we can all learn from.

 

He is survived by his daughters, Shantel Coffey, Shay Ruth and husband, Paul Ruth; grandson, Trevor Richeson and brothers, Charles Coffey, Richard Coffey, and Matt Coffey.

 

George was preceded in death by his parents.