Russell Coffey
Encyclopedia
James Russell Coffey, Ed.D.
(September 1, 1898 – December 20, 2007) was one of the last three American
veterans of the First World War
and also the oldest one of them.
, Coffey enlisted in the United States Army
in October 1918, about a month before the armistice
was signed. He was a student at The College of Wooster
, living in Creston
and taking a streetcar to Akron
, where he worked in a rubber factory to pay his tuition. Two older brothers already were serving overseas, and he never shipped out. Russell was honorably discharged that same December.
Coffey met his future wife, Bernice, in Creston. She lived one street away, and they courted from about the time of his Army discharge until their marriage in 1922. Their only child, Betty Jo, was born in 1923 and died in September 2007. At 84, she was his only immediate relative still living. He died in a nursing facility in North Baltimore
.
Coffey finished his bachelor's and master's degrees at Ohio State University
. He also received his doctorate in education at New York University
.
From 1948 to 1969 , Coffey served as a faculty member at Bowling Green State University
in Ohio. He was also initiated into the Pi Kappa Alpha
Fraternity in 1964 by the Delta Beta Chapter at Bowling Green State University
.
In June 2005, Coffey visited the Buckeye Boys State program at Bowling Green State University
in Ohio
.
By late March 2007, he was one of the last three known surviving American-born World War I veterans, as well as the oldest of them. He was also the oldest living brother of the Pi Kappa Alpha
Fraternity.
Doctor of Education
The Doctor of Education or Doctor in Education degree , in Latin, Doctor Educationis, is a research-oriented professional doctorate that prepares the student for academic, administrative, clinical, or research positions in educational, civil, and private organizations.-Differences between an Ed.D...
(September 1, 1898 – December 20, 2007) was one of the last three American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
veterans of the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and also the oldest one of them.
Biography
Born in Tiro, OhioTiro, Ohio
Tiro is a village in Crawford County, Ohio, United States. The population was 281 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Tiro is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all land....
, Coffey enlisted in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in October 1918, about a month before the armistice
Armistice with Germany (Compiègne)
The armistice between the Allies and Germany was an agreement that ended the fighting in the First World War. It was signed in a railway carriage in Compiègne Forest on 11 November 1918 and marked a victory for the Allies and a complete defeat for Germany, although not technically a surrender...
was signed. He was a student at The College of Wooster
The College of Wooster
The College of Wooster is a private liberal arts college primarily known for its Independent study program. It has roughly 2,000 students and is located in Wooster, Wayne County, Ohio, United States . Founded in 1866 by the Presbyterian church as the University of Wooster, it was from its creation...
, living in Creston
Creston, Ohio
Creston is a village in Medina and Wayne counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 2,161 at the 2000 census. Creston is served by a branch of the Wayne County Public Library.-Geography:Creston is located at ....
and taking a streetcar to Akron
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
, where he worked in a rubber factory to pay his tuition. Two older brothers already were serving overseas, and he never shipped out. Russell was honorably discharged that same December.
Coffey met his future wife, Bernice, in Creston. She lived one street away, and they courted from about the time of his Army discharge until their marriage in 1922. Their only child, Betty Jo, was born in 1923 and died in September 2007. At 84, she was his only immediate relative still living. He died in a nursing facility in North Baltimore
North Baltimore, Ohio
North Baltimore is a village in Wood County, Ohio, United States. The population was 3,361 at the 2000 census.North Baltimore is south of Toledo.-Geography:North Baltimore is located at ....
.
Coffey finished his bachelor's and master's degrees at Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
. He also received his doctorate in education at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
.
From 1948 to 1969 , Coffey served as a faculty member at Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State...
in Ohio. He was also initiated into the Pi Kappa Alpha
Pi Kappa Alpha
Pi Kappa Alpha is a Greek social fraternity with over 230 chapters and colonies and over 250,000 lifetime initiates in the United States and Canada.-History:...
Fraternity in 1964 by the Delta Beta Chapter at Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State...
.
In June 2005, Coffey visited the Buckeye Boys State program at Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State...
in Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
.
By late March 2007, he was one of the last three known surviving American-born World War I veterans, as well as the oldest of them. He was also the oldest living brother of the Pi Kappa Alpha
Pi Kappa Alpha
Pi Kappa Alpha is a Greek social fraternity with over 230 chapters and colonies and over 250,000 lifetime initiates in the United States and Canada.-History:...
Fraternity.