James Wilburn Coggin

James Wilburn “Wilb” Coggin, 77, of Caraway, died Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at his home of natural causes.

Born in Salem, Wilb moved with his family to Caraway at an early age. He was a member of the 1953 class at Caraway Central High School and attended Arkansas State University. He was a U.S. Army veteran.

Wilb coached the All-American Redheads for 2 seasons in the early 1970s. He then moved to Mississippi, ultimately settling in Leland, Mississippi in 1975 where he farmed for 12 years before retiring. He moved back to Arkansas in the late 1980s. Wilb enjoyed golf, sports and following the Razorbacks.

He was preceded in death by his former wife, Karen Milner Coggin, by his parents: James Walter and Elois Mauney Coggin, by 2 sisters: Dorthea Wilson and Lorene Gunn, and by 4 brothers: Claude, Verl, Paul and Boyce Coggin.

Survivors include 2 daughters: Jennifer (Vic) Herren of Berry, Alabama, and Tisha Coggin of Atlanta;

3 sons: Lincoln (Pam) Coggin of Brentwood, Tennessee, Casey (Kristi) Coggin and Ben Coggin, all of Nashville;

2 sisters: Armelda Lee of Rossville, Indiana and Madge (Paul) Taylor of Caraway;

2 brothers: Vernon (Dorthy Jean) Coggin of Jonesboro and Don (Becky) Coggin of Bono; and

7 grandchildren: Caroline (Greg) Watson, Emma Herren, Hannah Herren, Maggie Herren, Seth Coggin, Zane Coggin and Cole Coggin.

A memorial service will be held Friday morning at 11:00 in Emerson Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be held Friday morning from 9:00-11:00 in the chapel.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to the Paragould Children’s Home, 5515 Walcott Rd., Paragould, AR 72450.