Thomas Wayne Coffield

Wayne was born on November 9, 1940, in Norfolk, Virginia, to Jean Powell Herren and Thomas Pebworth Coffield. At the age of three, he moved with his mother to Tampa, where he spent his childhood and graduated from Plant High School. During his youth in Tampa, Wayne met Ramona Vila, the love of his life. They married in 1962 and shared a loving and devoted marriage for more than 63 years.

After high school, Wayne attended Florida State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1963. As part of his service in the Navy, Wayne served on active duty as a navigator aboard P-2 and P-3 aircraft. His assignments took him to Corpus Christi, Texas and Brunswick, Maine. In 1967, Wayne transitioned from active duty to the United States Naval Reserve. Wayne retired from the Navy in 1990 at the rank of Commander. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal.

In connection with Wayne’s transition to the United States Naval Reserve, he and Ramona returned to Tampa to be closer to family and raise one of their own. They laid roots in Town ‘n’ Country, where they raised their three children: Cathy, Wayne Jr., and John. Wayne worked as a controller at several businesses in Tampa, including International Motor Sports Association, LLC; Fred Curtis, Inc.; and Jim Walter Homes.

Once their children were grown, Wayne and Ramona eventually made their home in Odessa, Florida, at a cherished property on Lake Keystone. Their home became the place for many family Christmas parties and holiday gatherings. This property had long been a special place for the family and was previously the home of Wayne’s mother, Jean Powell Herren, until her passing in 2005.

Throughout his life, Wayne’s greatest joy was his family. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and was happiest when surrounded by those he loved. In his later years, Wayne became facinated by genealogy and spent many hours researching his and Ramona’s relatives across generations, and then sharing that information with his children and grandchildren. Wayne had a gift for storytelling and a quiet wit that endeared him to everyone who knew him. Whether recounting adventures from his Navy days or sharing memories from years gone by, he always had a story to tell.

Wayne was preceded in death by his mother, Jean Powell Herren; his father, Thomas Pebworth Coffield; his stepfather, Earl Cecil Herren; and his beloved granddaughter, Grace Catherine Weite.

He is survived by his wife: Ramona Vila Coffield; daughter: Catherine Coffield Weite (James); sons: Thomas Wayne Coffield Jr. (Mark) and John Christopher Coffield (Michelee); grandchildren: Carmen Weite, Dalton Coffield, and Kyle Coffield (Rocio); and great-grandchildren: Keith Coffield and Samuel Coffield.

Wayne will be remembered for his devotion to family, his steadfast character, his sense of humor, and the countless memories he created with those he loved. His presence will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on through the family and friends whose lives he enriched.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 10:00 a.m. on June 15, 2026, at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, Florida 33513 through Blount and Curry Terrace Oaks Funeral Home.