Julian Lamont Coggins' Obituary
Julian Lamont Coggins, Sr. passed away on Saturday, January 17, 2015, after a period of declining health.
He is survived by his wife Regina Walker Coggins, his son Monty Coggins, his daughter-in-law Carolyn Coggins and his grandchildren Carson and Caroline Coggins. He is also survived by nieces and nephew, Markay Carter of Wilmington, Jan Hartley of High Point and Jamey Farmer of Lincolnton and extended Holloway family in Durham. He was preceded in death by his wife Lorraine Metters Coggins, and his sister Frances Coggins Farmer.
Julian was born in Thomasville on July 6, 1923, the son of Floyd and Bertha Coggins. He grew up in Thomasville and Denton. He served in the Merchant Marine during World War II. After the war he married his high school sweetheart Lorraine Metters. Together they lived in High Point where Monty was born in 1956. In 1962 the family moved to Kannapolis.
Julian’s love of adventure and discovery led him into his profession. Early in his adulthood he drove a bus for North Carolina Trailways. He then drove longline trucks for Johnson Motor lines for 26 years, retiring in 1980.
Julian was a man of community. He loved to reach out to people, learn from them, help them, and celebrate life with them. He never met a stranger and had a gift of being able to talk to anyone of any age, leaving that person a little better than he found them. He was well read and held reasoned and logical opinions. He was also open minded and loved listening to different perspectives on political, intellectual and moral issues. He was a practical and frugal man who loved to engineer his own solutions around the house that made life easier and saved him money. Many items that were cast off by others found ingenious uses in his garage and garden.
Julian was a Freemason for 65 years, belonging to Revolution Lodge 552 in Greensboro. Julian was also a founding member of Crown Pointe Baptist Church – a wonderful community that he loved and who loved and supported him in return.
He was a life-time sportsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing of all types, especially dove and duck hunts with his nephew Jamey Farmer. He was an avid golfer and played with a regular group of friends who like to tell the story of him finishing a round of golf after being struck in the head by a golf ball.
Julian loved to travel, especially by car. He and Lorraine spent many happy times vacationing in the mountains and the beaches. Later, he and Regina traveled across the North American continent many times and took multiple long-term cruises.
He loved dogs – all dogs. He was a dog whisperer and could train dogs to hunt, sit, shake and to stay in his yard. The list of canines in his life is a long and happy one. Most recently, he took delight in his dog Millie, his grandson’s dog Dean, and Monty and Carolyn’s dog Addie. Nothing, except his grandchildren, put a smile on his face like seeing a dog come into the room.
He was very social and loved to dance – especially with a group called the “swinging seniors”. Friday and Saturday nights found him dancing and socializing with his friends into the wee hours.
During the last two months of his life, he resided at Morningside Assisted Living in Concord, where he was treated with deep respect, professional care, and warmth. He was very grateful for his time with the staff and residents there.
Julian’s love and kindness extended to everyone he met. He will leave a large hole in all our lives and sets a high standard for us on how to live a full and good life.
A celebration of Julian Coggins’ life will be take place on Saturday January 24 at Crown Pointe Baptist Church. There will be a visitation from 11 am to 1 pm and a memorial service at 1 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Crown Pointe Baptist Church, 703 Tennessee Street, Kannapolis, NC 28083 or to the charity of one’s choice.
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