MARSHALL BROWER “SKIP” COFFMAN, JR.
passed away peacefully on October 14, 2023, with his loving family surrounding him. Skip suffered a life-altering stroke on October 3, 2023, and died almost two weeks later. He was born in Memphis, Tenn., to Marshall Brower Coffman, Sr., and Alice Ann Hughes Coffman Edwards, on December 15, 1940. He grew up in Fort Smith, Ark., until the age of 11, when he moved to Little Rock and graduated from Central High School in 1958. He attended college at the University of Arkansas, where he played basketball as a walk-on athlete and earned a full scholarship. Skip was also a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1963, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Accounting. He served in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, from November 1963 until December 1965. Skip became a Certified Public Accountant in 1973, and he worked with several firms before starting his own company in 1973, called Property Consultants, in Little Rock, Ark. That company later became Coffman Investment Company. In 2007, he also started a mitigation banking company, that deals with stream and wetland credits, called The Natural Resources Investment Group. Skip also had a heart for ministry and gave his time and resources to many Christian organizations that spanned many decades, including Christian Businessmen’s Club, Campus Crusade, Navigators, Christian Family Life, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Mobilization and Center for Mission Mobilization. He also helped start Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, Ark., with several other couples in 1977, and he remained a member there until his death.
Skip, also known as Pop by all his grandchildren and great grandchildren, was one of a kind. He cherished his family, and he would brag on them every chance he could to anyone who would listen. Time spent with his children and grandchildren was what he desired most. Attending all his grandchildren’s sporting events and school functions, going to countless lunches and dinners, and taking his family on some incredible trips around the world, was his entire social calendar. He invested in his family, and his presence was strongly felt in their lives. The word best used to describe Skip was that he was a FORCE. He was filled with passion in everything he did and never did anything halfway. That passion extended to his faith and his love for his Savior Jesus Christ. One of the things he loved most was sharing his faith with people. Skip also taught his family to love Jesus by example and always sent encouraging notes, verses, and books, leading them toward a faith in Jesus Christ. When Skip would leave his family, he would always say to them, “You’re the best! You’re God’s best!” Skip leaves a strong legacy behind.
Skip is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his children, Marshall “Clay” Barclay Coffman (Melanie) of Little Rock, Ark., Jennifer “Jenny” Coffman Henry (Mark) of Little Rock, Ark.; grandchildren, Hunter Henry (Parker), Hayden Henry (Kelsey), Hudson Henry (Caroline), Hope Henry, Sam Coffman, Kathryn Coffman, Will Coffman; great-grandchildren, Ace Henry, Rivi Henry; longtime companion, Mary Jane Hornaday; sister, Alice Ann Coffman Webb (Tom); brother, Robert Hughes Coffman (Ila); nephews and niece, Grant Tolley, Marshall Tolley (Trudy), Alice Benge.
A funeral service will be held Friday, October 27, 2023, beginning at 12 p.m. at Fellowship Bible Church, 1401 Kirk Road, Little Rock, Ark., 72223, with Pat McClanahan officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service at Fellowship Bible Church at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to either Student Mobilization, PO Box 567, Conway, Ark., 72033, or Center for Mission Mobilization, PO Box 3556, Fayetteville, Ark., 72702.
Please visit www.smithfamilycares.com for online guestbook.