Raymond Coggins

“Coach Jerry Coggins”

Raymond Gerald Coggins

January 3, l944- October l8,2014

“HE LEFT IT ALL ON THE FIELD!”

Coach Jerry Coggins coached and played his way into immortality by “leaving every ounce of himself out there", and  before leaving the game, passing the torch,  giving a wink, a smile, and the look  saying…we’ve got this kids,  now get in there and give it all you’ve got…you can live whatever life you choose but make it count and  keep playing until the whistle blows. A single tear rolled down his cheek and his spirit was set free.  What an exit, Coach

Jerry was born in Birmingham, Alabama to Alice Idella Coggins and Tilton James Coggins. Tilton was in Utah working in the coal mines and would soon send for his beautiful wife and son, along with 8 others to make their home in East Carbon (Dragerton, Utah).  Jerry had big dreams of becoming a “Yankee” and his daddy did everything he could to teach him how to play and how to be a man.  A “Sandlot” childhood in E.C. is a fair way to describe life. Life threw Jerry a curve ball at the age of l4 when his “everything” his father was killed in a car accident. He took that curve ball and hit a home run  in stepping up to help his Mom and four little sisters.  It was soon recognized that Jerry had talent, dedication in all sports and at East Carbon High School he became a legend, All-State , All-Region Football two years, Basketball, Baseball, and Track with some of the best athletes in Utah as team-mates, they won many titles.  His leadership and scholastics didn’t take a back seat as he was 4.0 student and Student Body President.

He went to the University of Utah and played on the Liberty Bowl Championship Team of l964 where he was recently inducted into the U of U Hall of Fame.  He married his sweetheart from high school, Dixie Lee Danford. on August l4, 1965 and their marriage was later solemnized in the Ogden Temple on April 7, l976.  They are the parents of five children Deven J. (Paula) Coggins, Cristi Lee (Jared) Kouf, Justin D. (Casie) Coggins, Dane Louis (Joelene) Coggins, and Cacede Cim Coggins. Their grandchildren are Jordan Rentmeister, Jantzee (Devin) Ellis, Kenzi (Jeff) Boman, Rylee & Cannon Coggins, Mikayle, Carsyn, Jersey, Crue, Ty Jeri  Coggins, Dezerai, Paisha,Byron, Kali Kouf, Crash & Joey Rae Coggins, Kage C. and Dax Coggins

Jerry finished his education at Utah State University where he began his coaching career as a graduate assistant to Chuck Mills. He went on to coach at Weber High School and built a program and many relationships he valued.  He coached and taught history at  T.H. Bell, Jr. High and  in retirement coached Layton City, and impacted many young men.  He also worked 20 years as a counselor at Millcreek Youth Center, Archway, and other Youth Correction facilities.

He is a High Priest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and he loves the Lord and has served him well in many church callings.

Many thanks to Dr. Vincent Hansen, Dr. Joseph Hansler, and Michael Neilsen and staff for giving me 1.791 extra days with my man.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Robert Ernest Coggins, William James Coggins.  Sisters: Mary Brotherson, Sue, Goniotakis, Dorothy (Perry) Fry  and Helen Owen.

He is survived by his wife and children, his grandchildren and sisters, Patsy Frandsen, Polly Kranker, Joy Ann (Don) Huitt, Linda (Kent) Lindsey, Shirley (Bill) Butz, Charlotte (Bill) Sibley, Carol Wilding, brother in law, Robert Lauriski, and sister-in-law Valene (Rod) Tueller and many nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and colleagues.

Funeral services will be held Monday, October 27, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Road.  Friends may visit family Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary.

Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 N. Fairfield Road.