Herbert Lee Coggin

Herbert Lee Coggin was born to Frank and Pauline (Yeakley) Coggin on Dec. 1, 1923, and departed this life on March 6, 2022.
Coggin grew up on a farm north of Republic, attending Jones Elementary School where he walked over a mile each way to and from school. He attended Republic High School where he played basketball, baseball, and was on staff to edit the second annual yearbook for Republic High School. His membership on the accounting team served him well later in life. It is there where he met the love of his life, Carol DeWitt. He graduated in 1941.

Coggin attended Drury College, but when WWII began, he was sent to Central Missouri State for officers’ training in the Navy. His training then took him to Harvard University, where he was commissioned in 1944 as a supply officer. While on leave in February, 1945, Herb and Carol were united in marriage. They traveled to San Francisco, where he was assigned to the USS Alkes in July, 1945. He later graduated from Central Missouri State.

Coggin worked on the farm and Fruehauf Trailers until 1961, when he was appointed as Republic Postmaster, where he served for 23 years. He finished his career as Monett Postmaster in 1990 after working for 30 years in the postal system.

Coggin was active in the Republic community. As president of the American Legion, he helped to develop the baseball sports complex, which now includes the Republic Community Center. He was chairman of Republic’s 1971 centennial celebration committee. He helped to develop the Island Green Golf Club (formally Tri-Way), serving as president on the board for six years. He was also a board member of the Evergreen Cemetery Association, and a member of Hood United Methodist Church for over 80 years, serving on committees throughout.
Coggin was an active member of the National Postmaster Organization (NAPUS) and was elected national vice-president and secretary.

Coggin was preceded in death by his beloved son, Randy, and the love of his life, Carol. He is survived by his sons, Stan Coggin (Cathie) and Brad Coggin (Susan), and by his daughter, Marti Towe (Randy). He also leaves behind eight grandchildren, and sixteen great-grandchildren; and other family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the memorial fund at Hood United Methodist Church in Republic.