Charles "Red" Coburn Obituary (1930 - 2018)

In loving memory of Captain Charles "Red" Edward Coburn, Sr., 87, retired U.S. Army, who left this earth on the 25th day of March, 2018 to spend eternity in Heaven with his Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. He was born November 23, 1930 in Union County, KY to the late Herman Coburn and Daisy Dean Scott. His father was a coal miner, and the family moved to where there was work in the 30's. In 1941, Herman was killed in a mining accident in Christian County, KY; at the time the family lived in Nortonville, KY. The family moved to Madisonville soon afterwards. Red attended Madisonville High School where he played football, basketball, and graduated in 1950. Red was in Boy Scouts and a member of First Baptist Church in Madisonville. Soon after graduation, he began work for South Central Bell (AT&T) as a linesman and after 38 years, retired as an assistant staff manager. While working at South Central Bell, Red served as President of C.W.A. Local 3310. Red married his high school sweetheart, Sadie Frances Putman, January 23, 1953. Red loved his family and was a good example to his children and community. He worked diligently to provide for his family, knew the value of a dollar. The 60's, 70's, and 80's were a very busy time for the Coburn's; raising two children, working at the phone company, operating a small grocery store in Nortonville, raising cattle, and growing much of their own food on a small farm off Princeton Road in Madisonville. Active as a deacon and Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church, Red also served in the Kentucky Army National Guard as an officer and retired as a Captain. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and reading. One of his passions was politics, where he chaired the Hopkins County campaigns of Governor Martha Layne Collins, Senators Wendell Ford and Walter "Dee" Huddleston, and Sheriff Beau Summers. Red also had an unsuccessful run for Kentucky State Senator against Bill Brinkley in 1986. Red would give his time generously, serving on several boards; Executive Board Audubon Council Boy Scouts of America, Industrial Board of Greater Madisonville, Coal Severance Tax Board Hopkins County, Civil Service Board Hopkins County, and Board of Directors Christian Food Bank Hopkins County. Red was also a long time member of Greater Madisonville Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club of Madisonville. He joyfully helped all three of his grandsons on their Eagle Scout projects. In Red's retirement years, he loved woodworking, was a gentleman farmer, and an amazing handyman that "could fix anything". Also, he enjoyed the Dockery Couples Sunday School Class at the First Baptist Church. Red put his woodworking skills to use on the first Return to Bethlehem and has been helping since its conception. In addition he "loved" cheering for both the Louisville Cardinals and the Kentucky Wildcats. Red enjoyed people and enjoyed assisting others, offering them a hand up. He will truly be missed by his family, friends, and community. He was preceded by his father and mother, Herman Edward Coburn [1895-1941] and Daisy Dean (Scott) Coburn [1901-1976]. Also preceded by his brothers and sisters Lois Coburn (stillborn) [1925], Echo Dolores (Coburn) Reynolds [1921-1973], James (Snookie) Donald Coburn [1935-1980], Francis (Veda) Norveda (Coburn) (Cartwright) Kennedy [1933-1992], Mary Lou (Coburn) Ridley [1928-1994], Garnett (Pete) Glenwood Coburn [1922-1997], Phylilis Ann (Coburn) France [1939-2004], Ray Freeman Coburn [1926-2006]. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 65 years, Sadie Frances (Putman) Coburn, children Cynthia (Cindy) Lynn (Coburn) Moore of Madisonville and Major Charles Edward Coburn, Jr., retired US Air Force and his wife, Lesley of Nortonville. His six grandchildren, which were the love of his life, Richard Edward Moore III of Madisonville; Jonathan Hall Moore and his wife, Ana of Dallas, TX; Catherine Elizabeth Miller and her husband, Craig of Evansville, IN; Rachel Anne (Coburn) Crabtree and her husband, Sam of Canon City, CO; Captain Charles Edward Coburn, III., US Air Force of Carlsbad, CA; and Roxanne Leigh Coburn of Kokomo, IN; and one great granddaughter, Sawyer Fairbriar Crabtree of Canon City, CO; along with many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, March 30, 2018 at First Baptist Church with Dr. Kevin Maples officiating. Burial will follow take place Monday, April 2 at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West in Hopkinsville. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Thursday at Barnett-Strother Funeral Home and from 10:00 A.M. until service time Friday at the church. Pallbearers will be Charles Coburn, Jr., Richard Moore, III., Jonathan Moore, Craig Miller, and Sam Crabtree. Honorary pallbearers are Catherine Moore, Rachel Crabtree, Roxanne Coburn, and Sawyer Crabtree. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church building fund. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.