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South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

Obituaries

Terry L Coff

March 09, 1946 - May 01, 2022

Text:

Obituary For Terry L Coff

Terry Lee Coff, 76, died May 1. He was born March 9, 1946, in St. Louis to Robert Louis and Verona Anna McDaniel Coff. He married Karon Ann Giesler, daughter of Eugene and Lerneda, June 27, 1970. Besides his wife, he is survived by one son and three daughters Robyn (Chris) Richardson, Brian Coff, Kelly (Michael) Satterfield and Stephanie (Bryan) Fendler. He is also survived by his sister Marilyn Lou Lagrand; grandchildren Wyatt, Avery, Victoria, Gus and Dalton Richardson; Josiah, Jonathan, Hadessah and Jameson Satterfield; Kylie (Colton) Bates, Audrey, Austin and Maisey Fendler; nieces and nephews Scott Shelton, Stacey (Brad) Shelton Macko, Kenneth (Sue) Zellers and Kimberly Zellers and great nieces and nephews Christopher Zellers, Brittany Shelton-Gunnell, Kenneth Zac Zellers, Alec (Libby) Macko, Lauren Zellers and Garret Macko. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Joann Jane Coff Shelton, and brothers-in-law Donald Shelton and Roger Lagrand. Terry graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1965. He set a state record in the shot put and placed first at the MSHSAA Track and Field Championships, ranking second in the nation. He still holds the shot put record for the St. Louis City Public High School League. At Southeast Missouri State University, he was on athletic scholarship for football and Track and Field. He qualified for NCAA Division II Nationals in the shot put in 1969. Terry won numerous MIAA shot put championships for SEMO. His 1969 Mens Track & Field Team was inducted into the SEMO Athletic Hall of Fame later in December 2012. Member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education. He was hired by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, graduating from the academy on August 13, 1975. He was first assigned to the Chicago FBI Division (1975-1986) where he served as a Special Agent and later as a Supervisory Special Agent. He was transferred to St. Louis FBI Division April 1986, after working a year-long undercover operation. Terry received numerous awards throughout his FBI career including the Certificate of Commendation for U.S. vs Hawkins, U.S. Department of Justice (1992); Meritorious Achievement Awards from the United States Attorneys Office, Eastern District of Missouri (2/1995, 9/1995); Meritorious Achievement Award (Wiskaway) from South Central Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (1995); Case Agent Award Rackwreck, St. Louis Office of Labor Racketeering; Exemplary Service Supervisory Special Agent Chief Task Force from the FBI (7/1998-12/1999). Although a Supervisory Special Agent, Terrys first love was being a street agent. He retired from the FBI on January 12, 2001. He served as Chairman (St. Louis, 2003-2006) and Officer of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI. He was recognized for His Outstanding Service to Our Nations Children in the AFCA/FBI National Child Identification Program (2013). He was a member of FBI National Academy Associates, Law Officials of Greater St. Louis, Roosevelt Alumni Association, and Concord Village Lions Club. He worked out faithfully three times a week at the YMCA of South County until his diagnosis of bile duct cancer May 1, 2021. Terry was known both for his generosity and jovial spirit, as well as for his character of Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity as he fought for justice and safety for all. He valued keeping in touch and gathering friends and family together. He told jokes, played practical jokes, encouraged all to enjoy life, and ended conversations with God Bless. He was dedicated to God, princess Karon, his family, his friends, his community, and America. Terry will be deeply missed by so many.

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