Col. Joe F. Coughran

Col. Joe F. Coughran
July 4, 1936 – March 18, 2019

Joe Franklin Coughran, 82, was called home to his Savior and Lord Jesus Christ on March 18, 2019 in Bryan, Texas. A visitation will begin at 9:30 followed by a funeral service beginning at 10 am, Thursday, March 21, 2019, at Christ United Methodist Church, 4201 State Hwy 6 South, College Station. Interment will follow on Friday, March 22, 2019 in Greenwood Cemetery in Fredericksburg, Texas. Services are in the care of Callaway-Jones Funeral and Cremation Centers, Bryan – College Station.

Joe was born the fourth of five children to William and Mabel Irene Coughran (nee Head) on Independence Day, 1936. He grew up in the Texas Hill Country and Rio Grande Valley, graduating valedictorian of PSJA High School. He attended Texas A&M University majoring in Industrial Engineering, and was a proud member of the Corps of Cadets. He later earned a Masters in Business Administration.

While a student at A&M, he met and fell in love with Jeaneene (Jeany) Eileene Cobb. The two were married in McAllen, Texas in 1959 and shared 60 years of life and love together. Joe and Jeany were blessed with two daughters, Joanna and Jessica, whom they raised with love as they together faced the joys and challenges of moving around the world as a military family.

After graduating from Texas A&M in 1959, Joe spent 30 years as a multi-engine pilot in the Air Force. His wartime experience included two tours in Combat Rescue in Vietnam where he served as Aircraft Commander on HC-54, HC-130, and HC-130P aircraft. He also had the privilege of supporting NASA’s Gemini and Apollo missions. He was awarded multiple medals for his service, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Legion of Merit.

During his career as an Air Force officer, he served as Deputy Commander of Maintenance at the C-130 unit at Dyess AFB Texas; Wing Deputy Commander of Operations for all rescue units in the Pacific, Far East and Alaska; and Vice Commander of the 322 Airlift Division (Europe). He finished his career as commander of the AFROTC Detachment at Angelo State University, and retired as a Colonel after 30 years of active service in October of 1989.

At 40 he discovered an outlet for his natural creativity in the form of stained glass, which became a passion for the next 40 years. He was a true artist, and he loved his work – most especially creating Tiffany-inspired stained glass lamps. One of his greatest labors of love was a three-year project – together with his wife Jeany – crafting the four towering “Seasons of the Holy Land” windows at Sierra Vista United Methodist Church in San Angelo. He was a lifelong Methodist who participated very actively at his local church wherever he happened to be. After moving to College Station, he became an active member of Christ United Methodist Church, and also greatly enjoyed volunteering at the George Bush Presidential Library where he liked to work the Oval Office.

He was a big-hearted, generous, young-at-heart servant of Christ who was born busy. He was a Yankee Doodle Dandy and a good Samaritan, and he loved and was deeply loved by God, his family, and his many friends.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents William, Sr. and Mabel Irene Coughran, his elder brother William Coughran, Jr. and his elder brother Robert Coughran, as well as nephews Edward “Burns” Clayton and James Clayton. He is survived by his wife, Jeany, his daughter and son-in-law Joanna and Lynn Barnes of College Station, his daughter and son-in-law Jessica and Owen Jenschke of Fredericksburg, his elder sister Eddie Grace Clayton, his brother Richard Coughran and multiple nieces and nephews.

Donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project.

Express condolences at CallawayJones.com

Condolences

  1. Joe and Jeannie have been wonderful neighbors. We will miss him and his wonderful spirit next door. He was always generous and kind and appreciated his family and friends. We are so sorry for the family’s loss at this time. He and they are a part of our thoughts and prayers.

  2. So sorry to hear of your loss of Joe…I did not know know you were living in Bryan/CS.. Lee and i moved to College Station in 1992. He passed away in 2016. I remember you from our time in the AF at Ramstein and when our son Jeff Moffitt dated Joanna while she was at A&M…..Y’all were special friends and I remember sending cards at Christmas for years.. All my love and prayers are with you, Jeany and your family as i do know how you feel.. May God hold you close as you face the days ahead…..Bless you…..Jean Reavis

  3. Interment will be graveside service at 2:30pm at Greenwood Cemetery in Fredericksburg, with reception to follow at Heritage Hill Country clubhouse, 204 Heritage Hills Drive, Fredericksburg.

  4. Bush will miss Jo and his smiling face. I count it a privilege to have worked beside him on various occasions. Please know that many of the volunteers have been blessed by him and will miss his eager words of encouragement and support.
    I am very sorry for your loss.
    But as we know he is hearing at this moment
    Well done good and faithful servant

  5. Mrs. Coughran and Joanna,

    I am so sorry to hear about your loss, I fondly remember our time in Germany and at A&M. The Colonel was a good man and will be missed. I will keep you all in my prayers. God Bless.

  6. I worked several times with Joe at Bush Library and enjoyed working with him. Sorry for your loss. Future Bush Library visitors will miss being greeted by Joe.

  7. I was so saddened to hear this news. My love and prayers are with Aunt Jeany, JoAnna and Jessica, I am so sorry for your loss.

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