ROCKINGHAM — Eugene W. Coen Sr., 80, passed away Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at Hospice Haven in Rockingham.
He was born Nov. 4, 1938, a son of the late G.E. and Bertha Ross Coen.
Gene was a member of First Baptist Church in Rockingham, where he served as a deacon, was very involved in the church bus ministry, and participated on a number of other committees. He was a member of Rockingham Masonic Lodge No. 495, where he was a past master. Gene was a veteran, serving in the U.S. Army with the 82nd Airborne Military Police.
Gene joined the North Carolina Highway Patrol, working in Onslow County, Hoke County, Moore County and Richmond County. He was promoted to line sergeant in Moore County and first sergeant in Richmond County, retiring in 1988. After retirement, Gene worked with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Department DARE program, and was the Richmond County Schools’ SAFE Schools Coordinator. He was a Parks and Recreation baseball coach for a number of years. Gene was the golf coach at Richmond Senior High School for several years. He served on the board at the Samaritan Colony for many years.
Services will be conducted 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24th at First Baptist Church in Rockingham with the Rev. Jack Lee officiating. The family will be at the church to see friends prior to the service starting at 12:30 p.m. Entombment will follow the service at Richmond Memorial Park, concluding with honors by the North Carolina Highway Patrol.
Gene is survived by his wife of 42 years, Janice Goodman Coen; son, Jason Coen, wife Crystal and their children, Jacob and Allie; son, Wayne Coen Jr., wife Lisa, and their son, Wayne Coen III of Gauley Bridge, West Virginia; son, Edwin Coen and his daughter Karen of Pinehurst; daughter, Edwina Young, husband Rob, of Raleigh, and their son, Christopher Young, wife Molly, of Charlotte; and two brothers, Delno Coen and wife Sharon of Bickmore, West Virginia, and Mike Coen and wife Kwi of Raeford.
Gene was preceded in death by a daughter, Genie Alice Coen; and a brother, Roger Coen.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First Baptist Church Organ Fund, 201 N. Randolph St., Rockingham, NC 28379.
Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham is assisting the Coen family. Please visit www.watson-kingfuneralhome.com to submit a condolence online.
