Terrel Coburn

A Celebration of Life Memorial will take place Saturday, August 8, 2020 at 1:00 PM at Vicksburg Little League Field, 300 N 4th Street, Vicksburg, MI 49097. Friends and family may gather from 11:00 AM until the time of the service. A luncheon will immediately follow.

Terrel Edward Coburn, age 76, passed away Monday, March 30, 2020 at his home surrounded by his loved ones. Terry was born October 13, 1943, the son of Richard Edward and Muriel Marie (Oldacre) Coburn. Terry was brought up in Fulton, Michigan as a single child, but had so many great friends that always gathered at his home. He attended and graduated from Vicksburg Community Schools in 1961. Terry was a Mason for over 50 years. He and his father joined together and both became 32nd degree Masons. Terry enjoyed working on cars, playing football and baseball, hunting and hanging out with his friends and family. In 1964, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He did his basic and supplemental training at MCRD in San Diego, Ca. He was a sergeant and worked as a radio technician. While visiting his cousins in San Diego, he first met Sally Ann (Bruggema) the love of his life, but it was only a friendship in the beginning. Terry was deployed to Vietnam in 1966-67. Terry and Sally wrote letters while he was overseas. Shortly after his return the two started to date. After a few months, Terry officially proposed and gave Sally an engagement ring at the Marine Corps Ball on November 10, 1967. Terry was discharged from the United States Marine Corps in December of 1967 and they married February 23, 1968. Not only did Terry gain a wife that day, but an additional two sisters and four brothers. Terry was not just a brother-in-law to them; he was a true brother. Terry and Sally moved to Fulton, MI in 1968. He worked for Rieth Riley Asphalt and for Krum's Chevrolet as a mechanic. He attended KVCC and during that time ended up taking a job there in 1970. Terry later received his Associate's Degree. He worked at KVCC for 38 years as the Supervisor of Media Services and as a part time faculty member teaching applied electricity classes at night. Terry started his love for serving his community by being part of the Wakeshma Volunteer Fire Department for many years. He began volunteering at Vicksburg Little League in 1976. He started coaching, served on grounds crew, served on the board, but most of all found his passion for umpiring softball. He umpired many local, district, regional and state games as well as the Big League Softball World Series games. He also participated in umpiring in tournaments all over the country and in Canada. Terry was part of the Little League District 2 and 15 boards as Chief Umpire. He put on many local and regional umpiring clinics. Terry also umpired softball at the high school and collegiate level. It wasn't just the umpiring for Terry. He enjoyed teaching others, getting to know the players and trying his best to always be fair. Terry stopped umpiring due to health issues, but it did not stop him from attending the games. He remained on the Vicksburg Little League board and volunteered for 43 years. Terry and Sally had two children, Scott Edward and Kathleen (Katie) Ann Coburn. He was a beloved father, who was active in their lives. He was loving, always supportive, kind and taught his children the meaning of family. Family was the most important thing to Terry. Scott and his wife, Jennifer (Purkiss) Coburn, provided Terry with his two most precious gifts, his granddaughters, Aubrey Grace and Ashlen Marie. Terry showed his love of being a grandfather by providing unconditional love, corny jokes and the best hugs. Terry was preceded in death by his parents Richard (Dick) and Muriel Coburn. He will be so deeply missed by his loving wife Sally, son Scott and Jennifer (Purkiss) Coburn, daughter Kathleen (Katie) Coburn and grandchildren Aubrey and Ashlen Coburn. A private funeral will be held Thursday April 2, 2020 at Langeland Funeral Home in Kalamazoo, MI. There will be a Celebration of Life Memorial at a date to be determined due to the COVID-19 Virus. Donations in Terry's memory may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or Vicksburg Little League. Please visit Terry's personalized online guestbook at https://www.langelands.com