Richard Coffield, Jr.

Our beloved Richard Coffield (age 74) of Bluffton, SC passed away at home on Sunday, August 16 following a short illness. He was born on August 24, 1951 in Savannah, GA to Richard Coffield, Sr. and Battey Nicholson Coffield.

Richard grew up attending Wesley Monumental Methodist Church. He graduated from Jenkins High School in 1969 where he played football and ran track. Richard attended Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA graduating in 1973 receiving a BA in English.

Richard settled in Bluffton in the mid 70"s and worked "food and bev" on Hilton Head Island at night in order to finance his real life which was hunting and fishing during the day. A dream for a young single man.

Richard was an avid outdoorsman. He loved being in the woods and on the river where he found much joy, beauty, and peace. Richard maintained lasting friendships over the years, most sharing their love of nature themselves. The storytelling around the campfires and fish-cleaning tables was almost as fascinating as the actual activities. Countless hours were spent trading stories of adventures and misadventures. His laugh was infectious.

Richard did settle down with his wife, Beth, and two boys, Rob and Simon. He opened May River Realty in Bluffton a few years after their marriage in 1987 at Church of the Cross. He was owner/broker there until his retirement earlier this year.

Richard was civic minded. He was an honored active member of Rotary International in Bluffton. He introduced the popular "Ugly Dog Contest" at Bluffton's annual Mayfest each Spring. He loved MC'ing that event and had great times commenting on the fabulous dogs (and their owners!). He will be sorely missed.

Richard is survived by his wife, Beth, his Aunt Myrtle, sons Rob Griffeth and Simon Griffeth (Carrie); grandsons Robert Griffeth and Franklin Mathos-Griffeth, brother Mike Coffield (Martha), sister Frances Coffield Thrower (Howard), and a host of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Richard A. Coffield, Sr. and Battey Nicholson Coffield.

Services will be held at the Historic Church of the Cross in Bluffton, SC on Friday, 4 September at 11:00am with a reception immediately following the service in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and/or the Church of the Cross.