James E. Coufal

Obituary of James E. Coufal James E. "Jim" Coufal, 87, died on August 13, 2025, of complications from life. He didn't transition to heaven but to plain old dust, after donating his body to biomedical teaching. Jim was born in Syracuse to pre-WWI immigrants Albert and Mary (Waverchek) Coufal, long deceased. His three sibs, Albert, Helen, and Harold are also long dead. He grew up in suburban Lyncourt, graduating from Lyncourt School, 9th grade and then graduated from Vocational High School. He then attained an AS in Forest Technology from the NY State College of Forestry Ranger school, followed by a BS in Forestry and MS in Silviculture from SUNY Col. Of Env. Sci. and Forestry. He moved to Asheville, NC where he worked as a staff forester for the Tennessee Valley Authority. While in Asheville he married Carol A. Root of Syracuse, welcomed daughter, Laura, and 4 years later welcomed son, Eric. He joined the faculty of the Ranger School in the Adirondacks, spending 17 years rising to full professor and Director the last five years. While there he used a sabbatical to obtain his EDS in higher education from SUNY Albany. Next, he joined the Faculty of Forestry at ESF as Undergraduate Curriculum Coordinator, serving at various times as Acting Chair and Chair. Professionally Jim was elected to the Executive Board and Chair of the NYS Society of American Foresters then to the Board of the 20,000-member national SAF, followed by being elected President. This led to much travel, and attendance at 16 national conventions with presentations at most. His fondest memory was of instigating a "modern era" of the land ethic. After much discussion and an overwhelming positive vote of the members added a land ethic to the SAF Code of Ethics. His many writings included publications ranging from "Ranger Rick's Nature Magazine" to "Forest Farmer," "The Journal of Forestry" to "The Journal of Soil and Water," "Higher Education" and more. He wrote two training manuals, one book, edited another book, and wrote invited chapters for others. Sojourning through life Jim was a member of the Jaycees, Toastmasters, Knights of Columbus, and Lions; served on his Parish Council, as a Lector and a member of two school boards. Jim credits his ever-beautiful wife Carol for taking their marriage vows seriously; "for better or for worse". She backed him graciously, cared for him through several serious health problems, adventured with him and simply kept him together. May all men be so blessed. There were ups and downs with children Laura and Eric, but always loved them deeply and was proud of their talents, intelligence, and wit. In lieu of flowers, donations to CAVAC, 106 Nelson St., Cazenovia, NY 13035 or the Cazenovia Fire Department, 121 Albany St., Cazenovia, NY 13035 for their gracious responses. Per Jim's wishes, there will be no calling hours, but a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Jim hoped for a simple epitaph: "He made people laugh." Condolences for the Coufal family may be left at www.michaelebrownfuneralservices.com