Hugh Byron Coffelt Jr. September 1, 1931 - March 11, 2017

Hugh Byron Coffelt Jr., 85, left this world for heaven on March 11, 2017 at his home in Othello, Wash. He was born in Decatur, Ark. on Sept. 1, 1931 to parents Hugh Byron Coffelt Sr. and Anna Rose Hampton Coffelt. The family later moved to Modesto, Calif. where Hugh graduated high school.

Seeking adventure, he enlisted in the Navy at 18 years old because he loved the water and his country. He served during the Korean conflict aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard. While on leave in Long Beach, Calif., the young sailor met the love of his life, Lois Juanita Suthard. They married on April 2, 1953.

After four years of service, Hugh and Lois returned to Modesto to start their family. While there, Hugh owned and operated a gas station, and later an auto repair shop. Always looking for the next adventure, he loaded up his wife and their three children and made the big move to God’s Country; Othello, Wash. He was the service manager at Hostetter Ford Garage for 26 years.

The open fields of Othello brought out the cowboy in Hugh. Hunting, riding and team roping became his favorite pastimes. He had a great love for horses and spent many hours sharing that love with his friends, children, and grandchildren. He was an active member of the Othello Rodeo Association and served as president for a time. After retirement, Hugh became a master machinist, his true passion. He could be found out in his shop, creating his next masterpiece. He made many, many things, but was well known for his beautiful and practical horse bits.

A man of great faith, he was very involved at the Pine Street Baptist church, where he was a deacon and taught the adult Sunday school class for many years. Presently, Hugh was proudly serving as the Senior Vice Commander of VFW Post 8889 Sgt. Robert F. Wiley. Hugh Coffelt was a leader at home and in the community and he will be dearly missed. He loved selflessly and greatly. It’s impossible to describe the positive impact Hugh had on so many lives.

He is survived by his wife, Lois Coffelt of Othello, Wash., and his children Cynthia Gay (Jerry) Coffelt Edwards of Austin, Texas, Suzanne (Barry) Coffelt Klettke of Vancouver, Wash. and Hugh Byron (Denise) Coffelt III of Pasco, Wash. Hugh also leaves behind his sister Joanne Moon Chandon of Modesto, Calif., his sister-in-law Juanita L. Coffelt of Modesto, Calif. and five grandchildren Tori, Blake, Kelsey, Grant and Claire, who cherish his loving memory. He is preceded in death by his parents, Hugh Byron Coffelt Sr. and Anna Rose Hampton Coffelt, his brother, Marvin Lee Coffelt, and one grandchild, Lucas.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 18, 2017, at the First Baptist Church, 707 E. Larch in Othello, Wash. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Local VFW Post. To leave an online condolence to the family, please visit our website at www.stevensfc.com.