<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
</head>
<body>
<p><em>Gary Max Coggins </em>passed away on June 22, 2022 at home with his beloved wife, Evelyn, by his side. He was 77. Gary was born September 7, 1944 in Arkansas City, KS. After high school he received an appointment to West Point. During his four years at West Point, Gary was well known both for his almost-permanent smile and for his participation in every conceivable sports activity.</p>
<p>Gary was assigned to company H-2 during plebe year, where he is well remembered by all his classmates. Classmate and friend Berry Morton remembers: “Gary always had a big smile for everyone. I clearly recall that he loved people and particularly loved his classmates. I cannot recall that he ever had a negative word to cast on anyone, and he was about as friendly a person as I have even known. He was a very good and pretty serious student, and I remember speaking with him about a wide range of our academics and frequently walking to class together talking through the day’s assignment. He was a very versatile athlete and liked to engage in any number of pickup games of tennis, handball, touch football, hoops, squash and so on. What fun it was to get a few H-2 buddies together and go at it out on the Plain. Gary was from Arkansas City. He <em>insisted </em>that we all pronounce it correctly. I can almost hear him saying that the name is pronounced <em>R-Kansas</em> City, not <em>Ar-Kan-Saw</em> City. He made sure all of us gave correct recognition to his hometown. An amusing anecdote illustrates his character. One winter Saturday night, dark and windy with blowing snow, we went for a walk after the movie at the Army Post Theatre by Lusk Reservoir and across the bridge over the famous spillway, then up past the Chapel, and back to barracks. It was a great walk and conversation between friends. The next day for some reason we checked the blue book and realized that the spillway was off limits—a big surprise to us most certainly. Since our cards were marked, we had committed an unintentional honor violation. We reported ourselves, wrote an explanation, and received a modest slug. So, we got to walk together a little bit more. I clearly remember that he did not waver on doing the ‘harder right.’”</p>
<p>Classmate Bob Kesmodel recalls: “It’s impossible to remember Gary without recalling his smile and always friendly manner. He was always willing to help his fellow classmates no matter what the task.” </p>
<p>Classmate and friend Herb “Bud” Miller wrote: “Gary always had a smile and a positive attitude about everything. Even when, as a plebe, he would get demerits, he would always look at it as a learning lesson. However, Gary was not given many demerits because of his dedication to being a ‘model’ cadet. Gary’s quiet demeanor hid his enjoyment of playing tricks on other cadets such as hiding ‘brown boys’ and opening windows in the middle of winter while a cadet was out of his room. Gary loved parades and was always dressed early and available to help his classmates prep, especially at the last minute. This continued throughout his four years. Always helpful, Gary helped his company Ring and Crest Committee rep, Herb Miller, with his suggestions for the class ring design. He was ‘kind to plebes and let other upperclassmen take care of the discipline.”</p>
<p>After graduation from West Point with the Class of 1966, Gary attended both Airborne and Ranger schools. His first assignment was with the 2nd Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment in Germany, followed by an assignment with MACV in 1969. Gary earned his M.S. at Rice University in 1972 and was then assigned as a professor at USMA in the Department of Mechanics from 1972 to 1975. His next assignment was with the 1st Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment in Korea from 1975 to 1976. From 1976 to 1979 Gary was assigned to Combined Arms Combat Development, followed by assignment to the CGSC in 1980. He also earned his M.A. from Central Michigan University in 1980. Gary then was assigned as XO, 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment from 1980 to 1982 and HQ, 1st Infantry Division Artillery (DIVARTY), 1982-84. From 1984 to 1986 Gary was assigned as a professor of military science at Cameron University, followed by Plans O USAE ALFSEE in Turkey 1986 and then TRADOC in 1988. Gary retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1989.</p>
<p>After retirement Gary taught high school in Virginia. In 1985 Gary married Evelyn Ortega, a fellow Army officer. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Iliff and Ann Mae Coggin, and his sister Cheryl Martin. Gary is survived by his wife, Evelyn; sister Paula Kay Coggins; daughter, Kathy (Chad); grandchildren: Moira, Aly and Gray (Kelsey) Gideon; adopted family, Perscilla Jett (Doug), Don Ortega (Suzanne), and Floyd Trujillo (Shirley deceased); and numerous nieces, nephews, and loving relatives. </p>
<p>We classmates found a superb friend and human being in Gary Coggins and remember him clearly and fondly. He loved life and we loved him. As stated in the West Point <em>Alma Mater</em>, “And when our work is done / Our course on earth is run / May it be said, ‘Well done / Be thou at peace.’”</p>
<p><em>— Gary’s Family and H-2 Classmates </em></p>
</body>
</html>