Coffman, Christopher B. 1963-2022
Chris – 2, Cancer – WON
After twelve wonderful years of being asymptomatic Chris’ cancer returned in September 2020. His second surgery in November 2020 was rougher than the first one but he came through so very bravely. All was well until almost exactly a year later when it roared back into our lives with a vengeance, and this time it was untreatable. Chris opted for hospice care at the end of October 2021 and chose Hospice of the Western Reserve. We cannot shout the praises of this hospice loud or long enough. They gave Chris four cherished months of truly quality time to enjoy with family and friends, visiting, playing pinochle, just enjoying life. He just couldn’t stop fixing and improving things around the house (his belt tool pouch was never far away from his hand). He enhanced several crystals with LEDs and jointly created Royal Magical Unicorn Pooh™ with Lance. He designed and drew the plans for his dream shed. He spent precious time with Alicia. None of these things would have happened without the loving attention he received from his hospice care team. Thank you all, with special thanks to nurses Kristy, Lori, Eileen and Karen; aides Marion, Missy and Pamela; Dr. Florin and spiritual advisor Christine.
Special thanks to Dr. Andrew Fenton who gave him those twelve years plus one cancer free, Dr. Anthony Visioni who’s sense of humor blended so well with Chris’, Dr. Laurie Matt-Amaral who told Chris the truth when he needed to hear it and Dr. Jennifer Poptic who took such good care of him on an everyday basis.
Chris worked his whole life from the age of 13 on. He was so proud to have served the country he loved in the US Air Force as an airborne Russian Linguist (the “job” he loved) from 1983-1993 in many countries around the world. His respect for his brothers in arms knew no bounds. He was self-employed for a time after his service until he moved back to Ohio. He worked for several years as the right hand man to Reed Wasserstrom in Columbus then accepted a position at NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland and worked his way up to the Operations Manager position for the Maintenance Contractor in his 13 ½ years there.
Chris’ final gift to us all was to donate his body to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville Forensic Anthropology Center to further scientific study and where he will truly return to the earth in the most natural way.
Chris will be greatly missed by his adoring wife, his daughters Christa (Justin), Andrea (Mason) and Kaylee, granddaughters Scottlyn and Ophelia, sister Lisa and Lance Sturgill, brother in law Eric Toth, nephews Joe (Carrie), Nick and Vince, six great nieces and nephews, friends Pat and Lex, Chris Logan, Ed Dilalla and Rick Grizer (just to name a few) and his best buddy Bandit.
His fight is over but his journey continues as he blazes the trail ahead for his soul mate until we meet again on the other side.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, June 11, 2022, starting at 5pm, at the Sheffield Lake VFW Post 8686, 577 Harris Rd.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: https://gofund.me/91402723