Thomas "Dale" Coffman, was born in Phoenix, Arizona on March 8, 1926. He died at Pleasant Valley Manor in Sedan, Kansas on May 8, 2017. His parents were Pauline (Coulter) Coffman and Thomas Benjamin Coffman. They had moved from Oklahoma to Phoenix because Tom had contracted TB while in the National Guard. Tom died in 1928, and Dale and his mother returned to Alva, Oklahoma, and made their home with Tom's parents for several years. Dale attended grade school and high school and one semester of college at Alva. He had six uncles who farmed west of Enid, Oklahoma, and he spent several weeks each summer there.

Dale and his cousin, Herb Smith graduated from high school in 1943, and enlisted in the Army together at the age of 17. They were sent to Baylor University at Waco, Texas, to the Army Specialized Training Program. After three months there, the program was disbanded, and everyone transferred to the infantry. During basic training, Dale and Herb were separated, with Herb going to France to the 45th Division, where he was captured during the Battle of the Bulge. He was eventually released in May of 1945. Dale was sent to the 10th Mountain Division and served in Italy until the end of the war. His division was responsible for the breakthrough north of Pisa, and the advance through the Po Valley to northern Italy, resulting in the defeat of the Germans in Italy on May 2, 1945.

After being discharged from the Army in 1946, Dale enrolled at the University of Oklahoma, and received a degree in Electrical Engineering in January of 1950. In spite of graduating with honors, he found he would have to move to a large city to obtain a good job in this field. Another of his cousins, Harold Coulter, had started farming in southeastern Kansas, and after visiting with him, Dale moved to Cedar Vale. Together with Kenneth Call, they formed a three man partnership know as the 3C's. It eventually grew into a fairly large operation including a 200 cow dairy, a cattle feeding venture and about 2000 acres of crop land. Kenneth retired because of health reasons, and several years later Harold retired. Dale then formed a new corporation with John Juul, who had worked for the old partnership. CCC Farms, Inc. continued in operation until sometime in 2000, when they liquidated it and Dale retired.

Dale's mother, Pauline, had retired from her position in Alva as Assistant County Superintendant in 1963, and moved to Cedar Vale to be with Dale. She was very active in the Methodist church until her death in 1977. Dale never married, but always liked to have young people and children around. He served on the Coop Boards, the Hospital and Nursing Home Board, the Watershed Board, the City Council, and was Chairman of the Rural Fire District for 30 years. He helped build the local swimming pool at no cost to the city.

After Dale's mother died, he purchased the house, Dr. Rosie and her husband, John Meyers, had built. Sometime later, John Juul's son, David and his family moved in and they have been welcome company on and off ever since and in later years, a source of support so Dale could continue living at home. Dale had some wonderful friends in Cedar Vale. Lincoln Robinson lived just across the street and hosted a weekly poker game that Dale attended.

Finally, this wouldn't be complete without mentioning Dale's dog, Martin, a Golden Retriever he had for 16 years. He went everywhere with Dale; in the pickup, in the tractor, in the shop, in the combine, and in the house. Dale fed him an ice cream cone every day at noon at the Dairy Barn. He had his own tank of water at the shop to cool off. He knew every dog in Cedar Vale, and had numerous offspring all over town. He once got in to a fight with Ellen McDermott's Rotweiler under her dining room table. He survived jumping off John's pick-up at 60 miles per hour, and being run over by pickups and trailers several times.

His family includes: John Juul and wife, Kim; Marcia Morris and husband, Chris; Chuck Juul and wife, Melissa; David Juul and wife, Bronika Mattocks; Johnna Vogele and husband, Clint; Lisa O'Neal and husband, Ryan; and numerous cousins, including: June Martin; Phyllis Rearden; and Norris Smith.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, May 19, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. at the Cedar Vale Methodist Church. Inurnment with Military Committal Honors will be held at 2:00 that afternoon at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery in Winfield. Miles Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

A memorial has been established in Dale's name for Kemp Barnes American Legion Post #201. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.