Affectionately known as Bill or Cokie to friends and family, George William Coffos Sr. passed away at the age of 90 with his family by his side on Jan 19th, 2022 in Roseville, Ca. George is survived by his sister Anita Nordendale of Connecticut, his oldest son George William Coffos Jr. of North Carolina, and his youngest daughter, CarlaJo (Coffos) Solich of California, 7 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren as well as many other relatives and friends who all adored him and loved him. George was born and raised in Waukegan, Illinois to his father, Gustav Coffos, and mother, Juanita (Valencia) Coffos
Growing up in Waukegan, Illinois, George held a few odd jobs during his childhood and into his young adulthood until high school, when, George joined the National Guard in 1948, to help make money during high school, choosing a wheel vehicle auto mechanic, for his profession. George would also meet the eternal love of his life Jean Loretta (Fagan) Coffos. After turning the legal age of 18, he was honorably discharged from the National Guard and enlisted in the United States Navy from 1949-to 1953. Planning his future with Jean, they eloped on December 30th, 1949, in Morganfield, Kentucky when Jean was only 16 years old and went on to celebrate 70 years together before her passing in 2019 from Alzheimer's.
During his 4 years in the Navy, George was aboard the USS Walton and then the USS Collett which was his fighting ship during the Korean War. On the 50th anniversary of the Korean War 2002, George was presented with the Korean War Medal and a letter of appreciation from Kim Dae Jung, President of the Republic of Korea.
After his military days, George and Jean settled in Waukegan, Illinois buying their home in the Crestview development with their 4 children, George Jr, Cindy, Jeffrey, and Carla, and working for the Coca-Cola company until he was hired on with the Federal Gov't. That job would allow him the luxury of traveling around the states and oceans with his family for 40 years with the first stop to Sierra Vista, Arizona.
Having a strong faith in the Catholic community and raising his children in the catholic faith, George and Jean became very involved with the Catholic organization Knights of Columbus and George went on to become Grand Knight in 1979 in Sierra Vista Arizona. George, with Jean by his side, would devote many hours and years volunteering with the Knights and becoming a part of the large family of the Catholic organization Knights of Columbus wherever their travels took them. They returned to Sierra Vista when George retired from the Federal Gov't and spent 23 years from 1987 to 2010 between Sierra Vista and Tucson. Enjoying their retirement life to the fullest , their lives would be upset when Jean was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2009. George and Jean made the decision to sell their home in 2010 and move west to California to live with their daughter and son-in-law Sonny so he would have help in taking care of her. George remained in California until his passing on Jan 19th, 2022.
George was also preceded in death by his father Gustav Coffos and his mother, Juanita Valencia Coffos
his daughter, , Cynthia Lou (Coffos) Chester, and his son, Jeffrey Allen Coffos.
Funeral services for George will be held on January 29th, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at
St Claires Catholic Church
1950 Junction Blvd.
Roseville, Ca 95678
A reception will follow at Sonny and Carla's home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any Alzheimer's Association.
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