Neal C. Coffman

July 9, 1913 – May 27, 2016 Neal Coffman left this life on May 27, 2016 after nearly 103 years of living fully and well. He was remarkable for his energy, his sharp mind, and his sense of humor, even in his later years. He treated life as an adventure. He was curious, determined, savvy, and playful. He could tell a good story on himself or others. He was thoughtful and looked ahead but never forgot to enjoy the everyday. What was commonplace, he could make special. He made a point of engaging people and creating a human connection even during the most routine encounters. As a result, his wide circle of friends included not only the Posse, his church, and neighbors but also friends made at the bank, the grocery store, the hardware store, and his favorite restaurants. He still drove, managed his own affairs, and lived independently at his home. With his late wife, Mary, he was a loving and wise parent and a devoted family member, friend, and neighbor. Neal Chellis Coffman was born at home to parents Angela Meyer Coffman and Leonard M. Coffman in Bentley, a small farm town in west central Illinois. He was born in the farmhouse built by his grandfather on land settled by his great-grandfather after the Civil War. It was a prosperous 160-acre farm, which Neal, his father, and grandfather worked with horses, mules, and – later – a tractor. The closing of the banks during the Depression nearly cost them the farm that had been in the family for four generations and that supported Neal's grandparents, parents, and three sisters. When he graduated from high school, Neal took over running the farm so that his father could find work in town as a bookkeeper. After five years, Neal decided that education was his only path to a better future, and he entered the University of Illinois as a freshman in 1937. His father gave him $35 for tuition. Neal worked his way through college by washing dishes, painting houses, and doing any odd jobs he could find. In the summers, he worked on the road crew. He graduated in 1941 with a degree in chemistry, the first in his family to earn a four-year college degree. In his sophomore year, he met the love of his life, Mary Tweedy, on a blind date arranged by a friend. They were married on June 21, 1941 and were husband and wife for 72 years, until her death in 2014 at the age of 95. Neal first worked in the chemistry department at Libby, McNeill & Libby in Chicago, but was quickly recruited by the purchasing division to be a field agent in northern Indiana when they learned about his background in agriculture. Once the war started, the company also produced rations for the military. He and a partner later founded a wholesale produce business. When his daughter Barbara was born, he joined Campbell Soup Company in Chicago and spent the rest of his career with the company. Eventually, he and Mary were transferred to Sacramento, where he oversaw vegetable procurement not only for the Sacramento plant but also assisted other Campbell Soup plants around the country. Together, Neal and Mary enjoyed exploring every part of the country in which they lived and made lifelong friends. They retired to Arizona where Neal had traveled frequently on business and became Sun City West 'Pioneers', as first-year residents of the new community were called. They were charter members of the Desert Garden United Church of Christ. Neal was a founding member of the Sun City West Posse, the organization he loved and served in a number of capacities until his death, including duty officer, Honor Guard, Sheriff's Advisory Board, vacation watch, traffic control, and many others. As Commander in 1983, he oversaw the design and construction of the Posse building, and for many years he chaired the Duty Officers Oral Board. On the shooting range, he was a top shot. Through his work in the Posse, he received a number of honors over the years. Sun City Elks Lodge 2559 presented him with its Law and Order Award in 2007, and he was named the Sun City West Citizen of the Year by the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2011. He received a Volunteer Service Award from the U.S. President in 2013. That year, he was also named an Honorary Colonel by Sheriff Joe Arpaio. He became the first Lifetime Member of the Posse in 2015. In recognition of his many contributions, the Training Room in the Sun City West Posse building is named in his honor. In and around giving thousands of hours to the Posse, Neal returned to horses. With the equine love of his life, a palomino Quarter Horse named The Bar Dude, Neal won more than 700 ribbons and trophies. Although he always said he didn't like school and wasn't good at it, he loved to learn. He took classes offered to the Posse through the sheriff's department, and he carried wildlife and plant books in his saddlebags on his horseback rides in the desert. He had an artistic streak; he explored woodworking, metal sculpture, jewelry making, painting, and drawing. He bought a computer at the age of 90. He appreciated well-performed music. He lived his life to the fullest, even on his last day. His vibrant spirit will be missed. Neal was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary; sister, Lorene Coffman; sister, Mary Catherine 'Kay' Huston and her husband, Sheldon Huston; brother-in-law, Charles G. Scharnhorst, Sr.; and nephew Charles G. Scharnhorst, Jr. He is survived by his daughter, Barbara Coffman and her husband, Tom Tierney; sister, Marjorie Scharnhorst; nephews, Dick Scharnhorst, John Huston, Pete Huston, Walt Peters, Ron Peters, and their spouses; and great-nieces and nephews, and their children. A Celebration of Life will be held June 17, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the Desert Garden United Church, 18818 N. 128 Ave., Sun City West, AZ, 85375. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make contributions to the Sheriff's Posse of Sun City West, 20450 Stardust Blvd., Sun City West, AZ, 85375.