Col. James Edward Coggins, U.S. Army (Ret.), 86, of Summerville, and formerly of Charleston, SC, husband of Patricia Thomas Coggins, entered into eternal rest December 24, 2015. His funeral service will be held at the graveside with military honors, Monday, December 28, 2015 in Riverview Memorial Park at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon in J. HENRY STUHR INC., WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL, 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Jim was born July 28, 1929 in Kingston, North Carolina, son of the late James E. Coggins and Muriel Stone Coggins. He attended public schools and graduated from Decatur Boys High School, Decatur, Georgia in 1947. After working three years, he entered The Citadel in 1950 and graduated in 1954. He and Patricia Thomas of Brunson, SC, married in June 1954. He was commissioned a second lieutenant of Infantry in July and began his service at Ft. Benning, Georgia immediately thereafter. After attending Basic Infantry Officer, Ranger and Airborne schools, he served in a series of troop assignments with the Third Infantry Division at Ft. Benning and in Germany for the next six years. Jim was recalled to the United States in 1961 to be crossed trained at the Armor Officers Advanced Course. After graduation, he was assigned to The Infantry School as tactics instructor. Thereafter, he volunteered to go to Vietnam where he served as an advisor to a Vietnamese infantry battalion. He returned to the United States to progress through a series of increasingly responsible assignments to include teaching at The Command and General Staff College and service on the Department of the Army General Staff. He then volunteered to return to Vietnam and there he served as Brigade Executive Officer, Battalion Commander, and Division G-3 with the 25th Infantry Division. He was promoted to Colonel in 1975. After serving in several senior staff assignments and commanding a Readiness Group, Colonel Coggins retired from the Army in 1980. During his service, Colonel Coggins was awarded the Ranger Tab, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Army General Staff Badge, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit. His decorations for valor included two Silver Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross, multiple awards of the Bronze Star (V), the Air Medal (V), the Army Commendation Medal (V), and the Vietnamese Medal of Honor. He was also awarded the Purple Heart for wounds in combat. Upon retirement from military service, Colonel Coggins began a second career in real estate. After a learning period selling real estate, Jim was employed by Westvaco Development as Broker in Charge. His military experience in management and teaching served him well and he rapidly rose through management positions until he was designated Vice President, Development. In this position, he was instrumental in developing and managing Westvaco development’s two major efforts, Oakbrook of Summerville, and Crowfield Plantation. he retired from Westvaco Development in 1995 and since then has devoted his time to his family, friends and to his favorite hobbies of hunting, fishing, and golf. Jim is survived by his wife, Patricia and three of his four sons, C. Clark Coggins (Dariana) of Charleston, SC; Gregory S. Coggins (Tom Jones) of Summerville, SC; Andrew M. Coggins (Tory) of Kingsport, TN; six grandchildren; and a sister, Judy Hartzog of Ridgeville, SC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P. O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston
Posted in: The Post and Courier
Posted on: 2015-12-27
Link to original obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/charleston/obituary.aspx?n=james-edward-coggins&pid=177036979&fhid=23129#sthash.U8K1Ie1S.dpuf