Thomas Warren Coghlan, age 88, a resident of Columbia, Tennessee, died on Friday, November 21, 2025. He was born on May 24, 1937, in Midland Park, North Charleston, South Carolina. He was the last of five children born to the late John Kendall and Ethel Thomas Coghlan.
He graduated from North Charleston High School in 1955. He served ten years in the Air Force and Navy having been stationed in Germany, Japan, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. He has traveled over most of Europe.
He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree- Cum Laude -from Charleston Southern University. He later received a Masters Area Teaching from the Citadel and was certified in Social Studies and Biology. He returned to school and received an Associate Degree in Nursing from Charleston Southern University. He attended Elliot White Memorial Hospital School of Anesthesia, receiving a Diploma in Nurse Anesthesia. He worked a total of thirty years as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, twenty years for Louisiana State University Medical School and ten years for Nashville Anesthesia Service.
Thomas married Nancy J. Johnson in Charleston, South Carolina. They moved to Columbia, Tennessee in 1998. Thomas is a member of the American Legion Post 19, Samuel R. Watkins Camp #29 of the Sons of the Confederate Veterans, Tennessee Society War of 1812, and was a Director of the Maury County Historical Society. He has served as President and Secretary-Treasurer of the Tombigbee Chapter of the Tennessee Society Sons of the American Revolution. He has served as President, Treasurer, and Director in the Genealogical Society of Maury County. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and has held various offices in Council 7447 and F. Randolph Howell Assembly 2163.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Johnson Coghlan, brothers, James Harold, David Monroe, and John Kendall Coghlan, Jr., sister, Dororthy Louise Christensen, and nephew, Thomas C. Christensen, Jr.
Thomas is survived by his son, Dana (Kelly) Coghlan and granddaughters, Anna, Olivia, and Ava Coghlan all of Holbrook, NY, nephews, Alan (Debbie) Christensen of Yonges Island, SC and John K. Coghlan, III of Ridgeville, SC, niece, Belva Alexander of Summerville, SC, sister in law, Mary Coghlan of Summerville, SC, as well as his niece’s and nephew’s families.
Instead of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Columbia State College Foundation for the Nancy Coghlan Nursing Endowment at 1665 Hampshire Pike, Columbia, TN 38401.
A funeral mass will be held on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St. Catherine Catholic Church with Father Davis Chackaleckel officiating. The burial will follow in the Garden of Resurrection in Maury Memorial Gardens. A visitation will also be held on December 1st from 10:00 – 11:00 AM at the church. Those serving as pallbearers will be the members of the Knights of Columbus. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.