Texas, USA
May 21, 2013

Source: Texas Seed Trade Association

We are saddened to announce the passing of Lee C. "Doc" Coffey, founder of Coffey Seed Company and father of Robyn Coffey, Willhite Seed, Inc.

Lee C. Coffey, age 96, a Plainview resident passed away Saturday May 18th, 2013. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm Thursday May 23rd at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. David Hawkins officiating. Visitation will follow in the Fellowship Court of the church. Services have been entrusted to Bartley Funeral Home.

Lee Clayton Coffey was born October 6, 1916 in Zephyr, Texas. He attended Zephyr schools, before moving to Brownwood and graduating from Brownwood High School. After graduation he attended Texas A&M University, receiving BS and MS degrees in agriculture. He taught Vocational Agriculture in Richardson, Texas. He married Sunshine "Sunny" Jackson on February 1, 1944. He was a county agent in Mason, Fisher, Taylor and Comanche counties before returning to A&M to be an agronomist. After receiving a Ph.D. in plant breeding from Iowa State he returned to A&M to head the Foundation Seed program.

Lee moved to Plainview in 1964 and formed the Excel Seed Company. He bought Willhite Seed Company in 1969, where he thoroughly enjoyed working with watermelons, cantaloupes and eventually breeding hybrids of them. Dr. Coffey returned to the sorghum industry by forming Coffey Seed Company, where he served as President for 30 years.

Lee is preceded in death by his parents Jon Narvin and Molley Couch Coffey. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, "Sunny" Coffey of Plainview, one son, Lee "Pete" Jackson Coffey of Lubbock, Texas and one daughter, Robyn Kay Coffey of Weatherford, Texas. Three grandchildren, Heather and Jamison D. Coffey of Austin, Texas and Mari and husband Michael Urena II of Lafayette, LA. their two children Michael Lee III and Tristyn Michelle and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Scholarship Fund at First Presbyterian Church, 2101 Utica, Plainview, Texas 79072, Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, P.O. Box 1890 Amarillo, Texas 79174, Texas Seed Trade Association Foundation Scholarship, P.O. Box 29987, Austin, Texas 78755, or a charity of your choice.
 

Website: http://www.texasseedtrade.com

Published: May 21, 2013