Tributes
Leave a tributeI am very grateful that you taught me to always pay bills first, save money, and invest. Thank you for all the saving, investing, and wise decisions you made with your money that left your children with a valuable inheritance. It is very much appreciated!
My hubby, Don, and I moved to Chicago within 3 months of their move to Chicago, and it made our move so much easier to have friends nearby. We were able to visit them in Poulsbo a couple times. I loved them so much and will never forget them.
I miss Don too. All of us in the Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church choir miss his wonderful voice in the bass section, but also in the tenor section if needed. Always willing to help me and to sign up for a solo to help fill out the music for the Sundays in the summer. I also miss his fun sense of humor. We are so thankful for his gift of music to Rolling Bay over the years. We are also very thankful for the gift of the full-sized digital keyboard that he left us. We have been using it a lot and it's carrying case has come in very handy too. I sometimes use his folder, #45, and think of him fondly. He was a very sweet man. Precious memories. Love and peace to you all!
I love you.
I've been listening to your combo, the KeyNotes from 1950's - loving it! Thank you Richard for making the CD!
We are so grateful for the legacy you left.
Love you!
My name is Joel Coggins
Son of Connie Lou and Charles Coggins
I wanted to share my thoughts
They say a picture is worth a thousand words.
So if you would close your eyes and take a deep breath. Think of Grandpa and hold that picture in your mind. Think of that perfect picture of both Grandma and Grandpa. Think of all the great memories.
What if today was the greatest day you've ever had
what if this changed your life
what if you loved your family more
what if that sickness in your body was healed
what if you never were sick again
what if you pay all your bills on time
What if you never worried about money again
what if you were happy
what if everyone you met wanted to help out
what if you got a promotion
What if you forgave everyone
what if you were kinder to people.
What if you put others first
What if you noticed things
what if you were polite
what if you never said " I can't afford that"
What if you never said " I can't "
What if you never drank again
What if you never gave in to addiction again
What if I told you that you can't lose
What if every setback was a set up for success
what if you changed your confessions
what if you stopped being negative
what if you tried
what if you put in the time
what if you invested money instead of spending it
What if I told you today that you had a weapon inside of you
You had a force inside you so strong
So powerful that it could change your circumstance and all that your going face
What if I told you had something in your spirit not attached to how good you are but how great He is
It's not attached to how qualified you are or how long you've been in church
But automatically given to those who love Jesus
What if I could convince you that whatever you put your hands will prosper.
What if you knew that you are the head and never the tail.
What if you knew that you are more than a conquer
What if you really knew what you were capable of accomplishing
What if I could convince you that your praise can be a problem for your problem.
What if I told you that you can't die
But only go from life to life
The bible says its appointed one time for a man to die. That is the day Grandpa truly died. He gave his life to Jesus. He was born again and from that day forward he lived.
Sure it's a sad day here on earth for us. But this man lived a life with very few "what if" moments.
He loved
He gave
He shared
He was kind
He was not selfish
He was merciful
He was a scientist
He was a teacher
He was a student
He was a friend
He was a husband
He was a father
He was a grandfather
He was a great grandfather
He was adventurous
He was a musician
These are things that we can associate with
But what he really was, was a child of God
He had a call of God on his life
The bible says “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.
Proverbs 13:22 NKJV
What I have inherited from grandpa was passed down through my mother and father
That inheritance is that I know what the love of God is and I know who I am in Christ.
I will continue to pass this knowledge on to my kids and and grandkids
I'd like to close with this famous quote .
"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together...there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think, but the most important thing is, even if we're apart...I'll always be with you.” -( Winnie the Pooh)
from Joel Coggins
Do you remember coming to Oklahoma for my wedding? You were going to play the prelude music and my organist got sick. It was a mad scrabble to find my music I wanted for my bridesmaids and my entrance, but SUPER Grandpa came to the rescue!!! It was so special having you play. I would not have wished for it to be any different. I remember dad and I standing at the door waiting for the wedding to start and you were playing "Surely the Presence of the Lord is in this place" dad looked at me and said listen! We heard that melody and it was the perfect moment and the perfect song. Thank you for that special gift.
I remember the 1st time Sarah and I got to fly on a plane to come visit you in Illinois. That will forever be one of our favorite childhood memories. You and Grandma presented us with Mickey Mouse watches one morning at breakfast. I guess we were officially initiated! :) I am and was a big "Calamity Jane" fan. In the movie, Calamity Jane goes to chicago she calls it chicaggie and comes back and sings a song about it telling all the guys in the saloon. Sarah and I had fun singing "I just flew in from the windy city the windy city is mighty perr-ty, but they aint got what I've got no sir ree."
I was just telling my husband about being at your home in Polusbo and going running. I was on my last leg of my run and here you come on your bike. You road beside me and helped me complete my run. We chated a bit. I told you I was thinking about doing my Master's. I wasn't sure if I should get my MBA or what I should do? You told me "It doesn't really matter what you get it in, just get it!" I ended up completing my Masters in Human Relations in December of 2013. I loved every minute of my program. Thank you for always setting such a wonderful example for us on the value of education.
Grandpa you have been the best grandpa any girl can ask for. I have enjoyed singing with you, going on walks, your sweet patient presence, going to the beach, getting in the hot tub at night under the Poulsbo sky, most of all your hugs and kisses. Thank you for your generosity towards my family and your love. We are so proud of all your accomplishments and the man you are. You will forever be Super-grandpa to me!
Emily French
Beverly Kalinin
What a gentle spirit and dedicated Choral member.
We loved singing for him and you all on that sunday.
Blessings to all of you.
Susan Thatcher
Leave a Tribute
I am very grateful that you taught me to always pay bills first, save money, and invest. Thank you for all the saving, investing, and wise decisions you made with your money that left your children with a valuable inheritance. It is very much appreciated!
Please be patient.
Please be patient.
Please be patient.
Please be patient.
Cabin
Thank you Daddy for always being my hero.
Memories of Super Grandpa
I remember visiting Grandpa Don in Michigan when I was little. I remember he could drive with no hands (using his knees) and he would take us out in Grandma’s 280Z sports car for a joy ride with donuts in the icy cul-de-sacs. I remember him laying on the floor and playing with us and showing us his sunken chest after coming in from a run. I remember going to church with them when we visited, in Michigan and Chicago, where Grandma and Grandpa would sing in the choir. In Chicago, I remember visiting his office at work, and thinking how hard he worked and how long his commute was as we passed through several toll booths on the freeway.
I remember loving to be with him, he was fun to visit. He was our Super Grandpa! I was very lucky to have had a few special visits alone. After Grandma and I spent time in the basement of the townhouse sewing, Grandpa would come home from work and go on a bike ride with me or play the piano for me. I especially liked him to play the Entertainer when I was in middle school. One christmas when I was in high school, Grandpa gave me a pink sweater that he had picked out himself. I felt very special, knowing how much he disliked shopping.
When I graduated from high school, I was able to spend some time with them in Chicago. We sailed on the Blue Note, went to concerts at church, and ate blueberry pancakes. Grandpa would come into the kitchen and give Grandma a hug and a kiss, and call her pudge. Grandma Ginny spent one weekend at a quilting conference, so Grandpa took me on a special date. We went to Greek town for dinner and to the theater to see Noises Off. We had a great time together on our date! During that trip, we also toured Chicago on a double decker bus. I liked going to the museums and aquarium in Chicago with them when we visited.
Grandma and Grandpa came to visit me too after I was married, in Utah, Minnesota, and California. They came to Utah when I graduated from BYU. Grandpa gave me a hug and whispered in my ear that he was proud of me. After my graduation, we had dinner in a restaurant in Salt Lake City. In the restaurant, Grandpa got up and sang “Misty” with the pianist. They came to see new babies as we moved around the country, their great-grandchildren. I wanted my children to know and love them as I did.
I remember grandpa exercising, going out for runs and playing tennis. I remember him working hard. I remember his love and happiness, his pride in the things he accomplished and his musical talents. I remember their wonderful example of marriage. Grandma Ginny and Grandpa Don loved and served each other and those around them. I’m grateful for the legacy of love they have left us.
Parts of a Whole
Grandpa’s legs ran and jumped hurdles, ran across tennis courts, and got him to the church on time.
His hands played the piano and harpsichord.
His hands lifted his children, held our hands, and helped Grandma walk.
His arms gave great hugs to visitors and friends all over Kitsap County.
His blue eyes twinkled with laughter and love.
His eyebrows let us know when we didn’t follow the rules. Those eyebrows directed the choir in Temple City while his hands and stocking feet played the organ.
His voice sang in church choirs, The William Hall Chorale, The Detroit Symphony Choir, and at many of our weddings.
His brain experimented, invented, and wrote technical papers and books, and then began to let him down.
His generous spirit kept us all feeling safe and loved.
His heart! It was a good heart that didn't want to stop.
His heart loved all of us, especially Grandma Ginny!