January 30, 1931 – June 10, 2024
January 30, 1931-June 10, 2024
On June 10, 2024, Rex Allen Coffman, 93, passed away at the Sopris Lodge in Carbondale, Colorado. He was surrounded by his family in the hours previous to his passing. Family was important to him, and the family lived by the code: Work Hard, Play Hard!
Being an only child, Rex Allen Coffman was born on January 30, 1931 to Rollo “Chick” and Flo Mamie Coffman 20 miles north of Stewart, Nebraska. He attended school in Stewart from elementary through high school with a class of 20 students, which later became lifelong friends. They celebrated with class reunions many times at numerous settings, and one where he hosted at the ranch.
He was active in sports including 6, 8, and 11 man football along with track. In fact, he used to challenge races with his sons, because he still had that urge to go fast.
At age 16, he entered the University of Nebraska majoring in Animal Husbandry knowing that ranching was in his future. During his time in college, he was also a member of ROTC. Upon graduation in 1952, he married JoAnn Gwendolyn Knotts, then entered into the army as a second lieutenant. He spent several months in Korea until his daughter, Kristen, was taken to a children’s hospital with health issues when she was born which brought him home with one of Jo’s sister’s getting him there. He then spent the rest of his service in Colorado Springs at Fort Carson.
Because of his time there, he fell in love with Colorado, and he and his father sold their ranch in Nebraska and purchased a ranch in Eagle, Colorado. The family lived there for four years, and during that time, their other two children, Doug and Greg were born. From there, the family moved to Carbondale and bought the ranch where they lived until 2023.
He was a cowboy at heart but had many talents. Rex was a square dance caller. He helped at the elementary school to teach kids square dancing during PE and different groups of people would hire him to work with adults for a fun filled evening. He even called square dancing to the local 4H riding club where 2 squares of horseback riders did shows at rodeos.
For 15 years of the time the ranch was owned, he milked cows twice a day by running a dairy. When his sons went off to college, that gig shut down for obvious reasons.
Rex also was a rodeo announcer, auctioneer, and horse racing announcer. He announced many rodeos up and down the valley, did auctions for many groups and organizations, and called the horse races in Rifle at the fair grounds.
For 25 years, he was the secretary of the local Colorado Cattleman’s Association, and was a very active member throughout that time period.
Owning a real estate agency in Glenwood Springs for a number of years was one of his outside occupations. He also appraised property.
Rex and Jo started to spend their retirement in Aransas Pass, Texas. He loved to go fishing in the bay on a boat and surf fishing in the Atlantic Ocean off Mustang Island. After selling that property, they continued their retirement in Sun City West, Arizona. First they parked their RV in their son, Greg’s backyard, then finally purchased a casita in Sun City West where they resided during the winters for 20 years.
Rex was preceded in death by his parents Rollo and Flo Coffman. Known as papa by his great grandchildren, he is survived by Kristen Melsen of Glenwood Springs, Doug Coffman (Julie) from Carbondale, and Greg Coffman (Christel) Carbondale, his only granddaughter Lindsay Coffman (Suz) and his great grandchildren Bowen Coffman and Josephine Coffman.
Rex and Jo’s pride, along with their children, was selling their ranch to Aspen Valley Land Trust which was put into a conservancy the minute they took it over. His wish was to keep the land in its natural state for others to enjoy.
With that said, please make donations To Aspen Valley Land Trust in his name. Send checks to:
Aspen Valley Land Trust, 320 Main Street, Suite 204, Carbondale, CO 81623
To commemorate his life, we will be having a celebration on August 10 starting at 10:00 a.m. at the Coffman Ranch, 1837 County Road 100, Carbondale, Colorado.