Retired U.S. Army Maj. Jimmy L. Coger, 87, of Fernandina Beach, passed away Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at Quality Health in Fernandina Beach. A native of Evening Shade, Ark., he was the son of the late Marcel Samuel Coger and Betti Lou (Elliott) Coger.
He spent his early years and attended school in Evening Shade. Following school, he joined the United States Army and spent 26½ years in service to our country, serving in Korea and in the Vietnam War. Maj. Coger was a member of the Adjutant General Corps. In 1952, while serving his country, he married the former Betty (Elizabeth Anne) McAlerney of Seattle. He retired from active service on Fort Benning, Ga., on May 31, 1974. They retired to Lillian, Ala., on beautiful Perdido Bay, where he enjoyed fishing and hunting.
Maj. Coger was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; and leaves behind six children, Kathleen C. and David Hardee of Fernandina Beach, Patricia and David Edenfield of Lynden, Wash., Michael and Laura Coger of Reno, Nev., Robert and Mike (Johnson) Coger of Pensacola, Thomas and Lori Coger of Summerville, S.C., and Joan and Steve Thrift of Yulee. He also leaves behind 17 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at 10-11 a.m. Tuesday, May 9, with services following at 11 a.m. the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard, with Chaplain Jim Tippins and Dr. Wain Wesberry officiating. U.S. Army military honors will be rendered following the service.
Memorials may be made in his memory to Community Hospice & Palliative Care, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors