He was born on November 24, 1927 in Athens, Georgia to the late Hal Lewis Cofer, Sr. and Nina Mauldin Cofer. Hal was the second oldest of 5 children, Mary, Hal, Richard, Anita and Donald. Hal graduated from Athens High School and went on to earn a BBA from the University of Georgia. He joined the Navy in 1946 while in college and was a weatherman on the aircraft carrier USS Philippine Sea. Hal later joined the Georgia Army Reserves where he obtained the rank of Captain. After graduation from college, Hal went into the family business H.L. Cofer and Company and was later joined by brothers Richard and Donald.
Under the guidance of Hal and Donald, the two changed the store into Georgia’s oldest family owned garden center which was founded in 1922. Hal was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, Gridiron Secret Society, President of Georgia Seedsmen’s Association, President of Athens Kiwanis, President of Athens Downtown Council, Board of Director of Northeast Georgia Boy Scouts of America, Vestry of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Board member of Athens Tree Advisory Council, winner of Athens Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year, winner of the Kennesaw State University Small Business of the Year 1997 and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year 1997. Hal was a child of the Great Depression and lived a life of strong work ethic and a devotion to Christ.
He worked at the store until his mid 80s as it was his pride and joy. He never met a stranger and no one could every guess his age. Emmanuel Episcopal Church and Yellowstone National Park were the two places he loved the most and spent most of his retirement making friends there.
Hal was predeceased by his parents Hal Lewis Cofer, Sr and Nina Mauldin Cofer, his siblings Mary, Richard, Anita and Donald and his wives Jean Sale Cofer and Betty Jean Cofer.
He is survived by his sons Phillip (Cathy) and Stuart (Carol), step children Ella Lea Ahearn (Timothy) Whalen, Susan Ahearn and John (Sandy) Ahearn, grandchildren Catherine, Sarah Elizabeth, Sheridan and Stephen Cofer, step grandchildren Catherine (Brett) Thomas, Jacob Rayburn, John (Brianna) Ahearn II, Maggie Ahearn, Sheridan Ahearn, Bette Francis Whalen, Weber Mason Whalen, Taylor Hale, Trenton Hale and Cameron Hale and step great grandchildren Miriam and Mattie Thomas and Maddie and Melanie Ahearn.
Services will be held on Sunday, December 20, 2020 at 2 pm at Bernstein’s Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow at Oconee Hill Cemetery.
Hal loved Yellowstone National Park having worked there for two summers. Donations in his memory may be made to Yellowstone National Park https://forever.yellowstone.org/give/176506/?_ga=2.26578685.1920177256.1608251189-1972337471.1608251189#!/donation/checkout or to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 498 Prince Avenue, Athens, GA 30601.
Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
