Jimmy Coleman Coffey

Jimmy Coleman Coffey, 70, of Louisville, passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, October 6th in the peace of his home surrounded by family.
He was born June 8th, 1954, in Somerset, Kentucky, to Charles Coleman Coffey and Louise (Dabney) Coffey, but was actually from Russell County, considering they didn't have a hospital at the time. Jimmy was always proud of his early roots in Jamestown, where he kept many members of the Coffey, Dabney, and Grider families close to his heart.
At the age of 6, he moved to Louisville with his parents and his older brother, Charles Edward - whom he loved, looked up to, and truly enjoyed life with always - originally settling in Germantown, and then Buechel.
Upon graduating from Seneca High School in 1972, he attended Western Kentucky University briefly before becoming an engineering apprentice under his father. This eventually led to a long and successful career as a self-employed mechanical engineer, mostly with Eisenmann Corporation out of Crystal Lake, Il. His natural creativity and curiosity allowed his career to flourish as it took him all over the United States, Mexico, Canada, and even Europe at times. Not bad for a "country boy" from southern Kentucky as he used to say.
He met the love of his life, Brenda Shaffner, in 1981; and after a relentless chase, they were married in 1983. Two children followed, Coleman Patrick (1986) and Hallie Clarice (1989), who he made his entire world. For 41 years, he was the rock of strength they could count on in tough times, and the smiling face they enjoyed in great times.
For 70 years, he opened his heart to the world and invited you in. Outside of his family, his gregarious nature forged lifelong friendships with so many wonderful people who will miss him dearly:Charlie Hurst and the Hot-Air Ballooning community of Louisville, where he began a hobby as a pilot, first for the Falls City Beer, and then Rapid Industries balloons in the 70s and 80s; Jim Denny and all the former and current players of the Louisville Wrecking Crew softball team, who he helped keep alive for over 50 seasons, passing it down to his son and friends; and the basketball families of St. Patrick Parish with Rich Baldwin and Keith Wade, volunteering as an Assistant Coach and providing the use of his basketball court (and grill) for many years of fun practices, hot dogs, and memories.
He never met a stranger, he challenged you to live life, and he loved with every ounce of his being. We will miss his spirit terribly. If there was one silver lining to his absence, we know it's that he's enjoying a beer with Jimmy Buffett at a beach dive in heaven, and there's a good chance he's probably making him laugh
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Brenda Shaffner Coffey; 2 children, Coleman Coffey (Lauren) and Hallie Coffey; grandchildren, Charlotte Ann Coffey, and his namesake, James Jonathan Coffey; his brother, Charles Coffey (Suzy); and a long list of nieces and nephews, in-laws, and lifelong friends he was grateful to walk through life with.
To celebrate his whole life properly would be impossible, but we'll take our best shot on Saturday, November 9th, at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road, Louisville, KY 40205. His memorial visitation will begin at 12:00 PM, with a Celebration of Life Service at 4 PM.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a charitable donation in Jimmy's memory to an organization close to his heart, SMC Regina's Center – A Day Training Center for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
"He Went to Paris" – By Jimmy Buffett
He went to Paris looking for answers
To questions that bothered him so
He was impressive, young and aggressive
Saving the world on his own
But the warm summer breezes
The French wines and cheeses
Put his ambition at bay
Summers and winters scattered like splinters
And four or five years slipped away
Then he went to England, played the piano
And married an actress named Kim
They had a fine life, she was a good wife
And bore him a young son named Jim
And all of the answers and all of the questions
He locked in his attic one day
'Cause he liked the quiet, clean country living
And 20 more years slipped away
Well, the war took his baby, the bombs killed his lady
And left him with only one eye
His body was battered, his world was shattered
And all he could do was just cry
While the tears were falling, he was recalling
Answers he never found
So he hopped on a freighter, skidded the ocean
And left England without a sound
Now he lives in the islands, fishes the pilin's
And drinks his green label each day
Writing his memoirs, losing his hearing
But he don't care what most people say
Through 86 years of perpetual motion
If he likes you he'll smile, then he'll say
"Jimmy, some of it's magic, some of it's tragic
But I had a good life all the way"
And he went to Paris looking for answers
To questions that bothered him so