Randall Edson Coffman

1952 - 2023

Randall Edson Coffman
August 18, 1952 - April 26, 2023
Dallas, Texas - Randall Edson Coffman passed away on April 26, 2023 in Dallas, TX after struggling for many years with various physical and mental health challenges.
Born on August 18, 1952 in Fort Worth, Texas to Edwin Lee and Leona Fay (nee Jenkins), Randy graduated from Eastern Hills High School in 1970. After first studying at UT-Arlington, he went on to earn both a Bachelors in Music and a Masters in Musicology from the University of North Texas in Denton, TX, writing his thesis on the string quartets of composer Franz Berwald. Realizing he needed to actually earn a living, he subsequently earned a Master in Library Science from UNT, and worked for many years as a business librarian for the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Gearhart, GTE, and ExxonMobil. He also worked briefly as a private researcher, and for a time pursued a PhD in Computer Science. He took great pride in being the "man on the mountain" who could answer any question.
Randy was active in the Presbyterian Church (USA) from a young age, and a charter member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Arlington, TX. At Grace, he served as the inaugural choir director and helped teach the first pre-school Sunday school class. He later served as a dedicated adult leader in Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troop 421, and was the proud father of two Eagle Scouts.
A voracious reader, Randy enjoyed everything from James Patterson thrillers to dense history books, in particular books about his beloved home state, Texas. Prior to his disability, he was an avid runner (semper citius!), and a generous lifetime donor to Carter BloodCare. Following his medical retirement, he returned to his love of music, stylizing himself as a bionic banjo player.
Randall is survived by his sons Christopher of Irving, Patrick of Arlington, and their mother Sherry Finney Coffman; Kathy Everson of Arlington and step-daughters Christi and Aubrey; brother Russ of Carrollton and sister Sue of Dallas; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Visitation will take place at Wade Family Funeral Home in Arlington, TX on Tuesday, May 2 from 12pm to 2pm, followed by a private burial service at Oakwood Cemetery in Fort Worth. A memorial service at Grace Presbyterian Church in Arlington will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, NM or Carter BloodCare in Bedford, TX.