Richard Calvin Coggin, Sr.

Richard Coggin went to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at age 93.  

He was preceded in death by his parents John C. Coggin, Jr. and Mary Lucille Busby; his wife of 61 years Ada Ann Robbe and his wife of nine years Joyce Marie Eskew; and his brother John S. Coggin and sister Juanita Clements. 

He is survived by his four children Richard C. Coggin Jr.(Rosemary), Dwight V. Coggin (Candice), Barry B. Coggin (Kay) and Mary Richann Clay (Keith), as well as 15 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.

Richard was born November 1, 1929, at Mobile Infirmary in Mobile, Alabama. In 1948 he attended Howard College where, as an athletic trainer for the football team, he would wrap Bobby Bowden’s ankles before the games. In 1952 he began his career at Alabama Power Company in the meter department. He progressed through supervisory positions within the land department until his retirement in1989.

He began his ministerial career as a choir director and was the first paid minister of music at Gardendale First Baptist Church. While leading the singing at Mount Olive Baptist Church in 1961, Richard was invited to preach at Republic Baptist Church. From then until he retired from ministry in 2006, he served as pastor and/or interim pastor at Fultondale First Baptist Church, Hughes Memorial Baptist Church, Temple Hill Baptist Church, Blount Springs Baptist Church, Walker Chapel Baptist Church and Hopewell Baptist Church.

He was a member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, served as a messenger for the Air Raid Wardens in WWII, and later served as a medic in the National Guard. He has been a faithful member of several Masonic lodges for more than 60 years.

During his ministry he guided countless friends and loved ones through life’s biggest moments from performing weddings and funerals to mentoring new pastors. He will be missed as a pastor, preacher, music minister, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Many people loved and will miss his heartfelt stories, sound advice and his sense of humor.  

Visitation will be Tuesday, October 10, 2023 from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Gardendale First Baptist Church North Campus with the funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m. with Dr. Kevin Hamm officiating.  Burial will be at Oakwood Memorial Gardens. 

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