Richard Evert Cofran

Richard Evert Cofran RACINE – Richard Evert Cofran, 80, went home to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, in Racine, Wisconsin. Richard, ever the American patriot, was born on the Fourth of July, 1934, in Batavia, NY, to Evert and Clara Cofran. He met his future wife, Glenna Saunders, at a car show at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, and they married on September 21,1954, in Batavia, NY. Richard entered the Army and was stationed in Austria, where Glenna joined him. He had fond memories of touring Europe with his bride before their move to Fort Knox, KY, where the couple welcomed their first child, Karen. Their son Evert Randall was born after the family settled in Huntington, WV. There, Richard completed his college degree at Marshall University and began his career with Sears Roebuck and Company as a Customer Service Manager, all without missing a beat as a young father. Over his 37 years with the company, Richard steadily rose through the ranks as an International Service Manager. The family eventually moved to Chicago, IL, where Richard relished working in the new Sears Tower and he and Glenna established their cherished family home in Downers Grove. He retired from Sears as Director of Field Operations in 1994. Richard was a devoted husband of 60 years, loving father to Karen and Randy, and an adoring grandfather to Kathryn and Emma. Known to his family as “Papa”, Richard loved spending time with his granddaughters. Kathryn has many fond memories of trips to Lincoln Park Zoo, visiting the “dollhouse shop”, and jumping in leaf piles together. Emma later came along to keep Richard on his toes with many fishing trips, weekend crafts, and adventures in the Florida wildlife near Richard and Glenna’s retirement home in Inverness. In addition to his strong commitment to family, Richard was a devoted follower of Christ and parishioner of Brooksville Wesleyan Church in Brooksville, FL. He had quite a hankering for history and politics, serving as an elected official of the Republican Party in Downers Grove, IL. Travel was his strongest passion, fueled by business trips to Central and South America and visits to Europe. He will be dearly missed for his unrelenting sense of humor, knack for story-telling, and unconditional love and support. Surviving are his wife: Glenna Cofran; children: Karen (James) Nix and Evert Randall Cofran; granddaughters: Kathryn Nix and Emma Nix; sisters: Marilyn (Dave) Liles and Lois (Ronald) Starkweather; and many nieces and nephews. Richard was preceded in death by his parents: Evert George and Clara Mae Cofran; and brother: Robert Cofran. A memorial service will be held at Evangelical United Methodist Church on Monday, April 13, 2015 at 6:00 PM, located at 212 11th St, Racine, WI, 53403. Relatives and friends may visit with the family from 5:00 PM until the time of the service. Pastor John Fleming will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Evangelical United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at a later date at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL. Condolences may be expressed at www.wilsonfuneralhomeracine.com. The family wishes to thank Dr. Michael Mullane and the staff of Hospice Alliance for their compassionate care in a difficult time.

Richard Evert Cofran

July 4, 1934 - April 8, 2015