A reception will be held next Monday from 4-6 p.m. to celebrate the 95th birthday of retired pastor/local historian Edward Coffman Jr. It will be held at his historic home at 106 West Seventh Street, Russellville.
Coffman, who was called ‘Sonny’ by his parents, was actually born on Jan. 25, 1922. “We are hosting a coffee and cake birthday party for him the day after Christmas, as we will all be home at that time,” says one of his daughters, Carol Coffman.
Ed is the son of local legends, the late Edward ‘Pyke’ Coffman and Emma Hill Coffman. Pyke Coffman was Russellville postmaster before leaving that position for the full-time ministry. Miss Emma was his faithful companion and—for decades—his eyes.
When he was working on his college degree in the late 1920s, Pyke Coffman wrote what became The Story of Russellville. With the encouragement of News-Democrat owner/editor Bryne Evans, the local history was published in installments in the newspaper, much as Charles’ Dickens books made their debuts. It then came out in book form in 1930.
Three decades later, the material was expanded into a much bigger book, The Story of Logan County. By that time, Mr. Coffman was almost totally blind, and he had to dictate the wording to his wife, who was in effect a co-author.
Ed Jr. was not living in Russelllville at the time. After graduating from Russellville High School, he attended Vanderbilt University where he earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Divinity degrees. He became an ordained minister in the Christian Church in 1944. Much of his preaching career was spent in Missouri, and he earned a Master of Arts in counseling at Northeast Missouri State University.
It was in Missouri that he met and married his wife Carol. They have three daughters, Cathy Paluchi, Carol Lee Coffman and Connie Hitchcock, who live on both coasts and in between.
The last years of their full-time ministry were spent in Madisonville, which allowed Ed to complete his Doctor of Ministry degree at Vandy in 1972.
When Dr. Coffman retired from the ministry in 1987, Ed and Carol moved to the family home in Russellville which his parents had bought in 1966. It is known as “The Curd House” and was built in 1814. Most Logan Countians now know it as “The Coffman Home.”
Although he became involved in a number of activities, including becoming a lieutenant governor for Kentucky’s Kiwanians, he submerged himself into updating his father’s history. He talked to many people and spent countless hours reading every issue of The News-Democrat and the Logan Leader.
In 2004, he self-published the book Through My Father’s Eyes: The Story of Logan County, Kentucky, II. The title pays homage to Pyke Coffman’s blindness. It has become a valuable resource book for local history and genealogists. Copies of the book are still available for sale at Logan County Public Library.
The Coffmans traveled extensively as long as she was physically able, and he continued that hobby after her death. Many of those trips were international. One memorable picture shows him aboard a camel while he was in his 80s.
Carol Coffman died in 2009, shortly after she and Ed celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
In recent years, he hasn’t been able to leave his home often, although he still tries to attend worship services and Kiwanis meetings.
The reception is open to the public. His many friends and fans are invited.