Harry Lee Coffman

Harry Coffman was born in Tonkawa, Oklahoma on July 19, 1930 to Ora and Rosie Coffman. His mother and father separated a short time later in his life. His mother later married Roy Starbuck and Harry was raised by his stepfather and mother. To this union two children were born, Haskell and Edward Starbuck. They lived on a farm near Shattuck, OK and attended a country school and Shattuck School. This was during the dust bowl days and was forced to move off the farm to Dumas, Texas.There his father opened a filling station and he helped with the duties there. Later, they moved to Sunray Texas where he attended high school. His father started a mechanic shop repairing cars where Harry also learned to be a mechanic. After high school he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. When the Army Air Corps became the US Air Force he was granted an honorable discharge and returned to Sunray, Texas. His folks returned to Shattuck, Oklahoma but he stayed and worked in the oil fields. He soon married and two children were born, but a few years were not to be. He later married Marie Bennett Simpson and remained together for 53 years until her passing. During this marriage he adopted Marie's only child and raised her as his own. Harry was given the God-gifted talent of music and started playing at the age of ten and continually progressed through the years. He was so fortunate to play music with many named artists. He was cofounder of the Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest and was inducted into the Western Swing Hall of Fame, something he cherished and continued playing until his death. He was a very talented musician playing several instruments and doing vocals and band leader of one of the WSMSS. His life also included: Eagle Scout, Explorer Scout Leader, Scout Troop Leader, Pilot, Entomologist for the US Force, and was Vice President of a heat and air conditioning wholesale company in OK. These were a great part of his life. Being a pilot, one of the things he did when he joined the Civil Air Patrol, auxiliary of the US Air Force doing search and rescue. He made the rank of Major and became a squadron commander and pilot for the Civil Air Patrol. Flying was a love of his and he took his family on many flights. He was really honored when his grandson Shane Coffman joined the C.A.P. and earned the rank of Captain and led the cadets on search and rescue missions and later joined the US Air Force. What an exciting life Harry had! He is sure there are many who have much to offer our great country. Until he sees you again! As he often said, "...ride a good horse".