Thomas ‘Red’ Coffey

Thomas F. Coffey passed away peacefully at his home with family by his side on Jan. 15, 2023.

Tom was born Sept. 30, 1932, in the midst of the Great Depression to John W. and Katherine Reherman Coffey on the Coffey homestead eight miles west of Okarche. He was the second oldest of their six children.

Tom, known as “Red” by his friends, started working on the farm at an early age and, when not working, attended a local one-room schoolhouse and later grade school and high school at Holy Trinity Catholic School in Okarche.

Because he was needed on the farm, Tom missed so many days of high school his senior year that he was barely given a diploma.

After graduating high school in 1950, Tom attended Oklahoma A&M College in Stillwater and, while there, he joined the military.

Tom served in the 97th Signal Battalion of the U.S. Army in Stuttgart, Germany, during the Korean Conflict.

After his time in the military, he returned to Okarche where he and his brothers joined forces to grow the family farming and ranching operation.

On Nov. 21, 1959, Tom married Anne Katherine Wittrock, who was also from Okarche, and together they raised five children.

Tom had a tremendous work ethic and throughout his 90 years rarely missed a day at the farm.

Tom was married to his love, Annie, for nearly 60 years until her passing in June 2019.

Tom was a farmer and rancher to the core and he loved working alongside his brothers, raising wheat and running cattle.

Tom was a man of his word and known for his loyalty, diligence and great one-liners that always left one laughing.

He thanked God for what he had and never took anything for granted. His life was an example to all those who knew him, especially his children and grandchildren.

He was a lifetime member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and belonged to the Catholic Order of Foresters and Knights of Columbus.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife Anne K. Coffey, his parents John W. and Katherine Coffey, his sister Patricia Andrews and his brother Jack Coffey.

He is survived by his five children: Kevin (Dixie) Coffey, Steve (Kim) Coffey, Diane (Bob) Mareburger, Suzanne Eubanks and Stacy (Eric) Sheeks; siblings Marilyn Torbett, Jerry (Dorothy) Coffey and Mike (Lynn) Coffey; and grandchildren Nick, Maddie (Chris Caldwell) and Annie Coffey, Austin, Tanner and Avery Coffey, Jack and Drew Mareburger, Matthew, Ryan and Emily Eubanks, and Mayson and Rylee Sheeks; and many nieces and nephews.

A vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, and a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 23.

Both services will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Okarche.

Memorials and donations in Tom’s memory can be made to Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Holy Trinity Cemetery under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.