Benjamin Coffman (Camdenton)'s Obituary
Benjamin Paul Coffman, son of the late Floyd and Clares Coffman, was born at home in Leadwood, MO on April 6, 1930. He passed on December 6, 2022, at his home on the Lake of the Ozarks, Camdenton, MO, at the age of 92.
Paul, as his family called him, married his high school sweetheart Barbara Lee Maurer on August 5, 1949, and is survived by his wife of 73 years. Paul and Barb are survived by their 3 children: Linda Sue Coffman (partner Steve Olson) of Hartsburg, MO, Robert Paul Coffman (wife Devona) of Camdenton, MO, and Michael Glenn Coffman (wife Marsha) of Frisco, TX. Paul and Barb have 4 grandchildren: Barbara Robbins (husband Joshe Henry), Stacy Zellin (husband Harold), Aaron Coffman (wife Katrina), and Michael Coffman. Paul’s sisters, Fairy and Ruby, and his brother Clarence, preceded him in death.
Paul graduated from Leadwood High School in Leadwood, Missouri in 1948. He was a member of the starting basketball team which made it to the state championship playoffs Paul’s senior year. Paul attended mechanic trade school in Bonne Terre and Flat River Junior College (now Mineral Area Community College). After marrying Barbara in 1949 the newlyweds moved to St. Louis. While in St. Louis Paul worked at a wire rope company, a baby carriage company, and a radio shop. Wanting to move back near home they relocated to Herculaneum in 1955 where Paul worked as a chemical mixer for St. Joe Lead. In 1956 they moved to Festus where Paul secured a job with Union Electric (now Ameren). Over the years Paul steadily advanced from laborer to lineman to foreman of a 3-man crew to overhead repairman, and finally to trouble man, working alone as the first responder to emergency outages and other on call needs of the electrical distribution system of Jefferson County. After working 36 years maintaining the electrical grid for UE, Paul retired in 1992.
Light hearted and witty, Paul was a family man always putting his family first. He was an avid outdoorsman. He liked to fish, hunt, boat, and camp. He was a good slalom water skier mastering the ‘sandbar’ start on the Mississippi River, where the family often picnicked. He enjoyed bluegrass music and playing the banjo. Family members occasionally joined him with various instruments in the family band.
After retirement Paul and Barb settled in Camdenton, MO in 1995. He served on the Board of Directors at their lake home subdivision. Paul and Barb loved to travel. They enjoyed RV camping in state parks. They routinely spent the winter in Florida and hosted family gatherings there. They traveled the western USA in their RV, making the trip to Alaska twice.
Paul was a skilled handy man with a reputation for being able to fix anything, often using what he had on hand. Paul was installing a replacement water softener in their home in the hours before his death.
Paul maintained his independence until the day he passed. He rarely asked for help but was willing to take the time to help others troubleshoot a problem. Like many blue collar workers of his era Paul learned to keep things running on a lean budget. His innovative approach stands in contrast to those of us living in a world where most problems are solved by buying a new one.
He was loved by many and will be deeply missed.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, December 17, 2022 in the Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Allee Memorial Gardens, Camdenton, Missouri.
Visitation will be from 9:00 am until time-of-service Saturday in the funeral home.
Arrangements are under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral of Camdenton, Missouri
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