Obituary for Craig Allen Coffman
Craig Coffman passed Sunday, August 7, 2022, surrounded by his loving family, following a year-long battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He was 68 years old and died at home, where he could view the Chesapeake Bay waterways that had sustained his spirit and brought him joy.
Throughout his life, Craig Coffman could never quite believe his good luck.
He built a big life filled with family he cherished, lifelong friends he thoroughly enjoyed and a rewarding career that took him all over the world and made so much possible. And yet, despite his every success, Craig never really stopped seeing himself as the boy next door from Wichita. He was equally fascinated and delighted by the way things turned out, a beautiful life that truly exceeded his every expectation.
Craig was right, he was lucky, and to know him made us all lucky too. Craig’s vibrant personality and the ability to tell a great story made him a fun friend to many. He discovered a deep and lasting love for the open water spending as much time as possible boating with family and friends aboard the Mrs. Sippy Queen exploring the Chesapeake Bay.
Born January 22, 1954 to high school sweethearts Allen and Barbara (Hammond) Coffman (pre-deceased) he was raised in Wichita, Kansas where he was active in multiple sports and the Boy Scouts, earning the distinguished title of Eagle Scout. Craig was a beloved brother to Denise Lipsey (Craig Lipsey). He graduated from Wichita State University and always remained an avid Shocker fan. His career took him to both Philadelphia and Washington, DC, quickly making him a committed fan of the Phillies and Washington Redskins (he wasn’t fond of the name change and he let you know it).
At the time of his death, Craig was Head of Clinical Development Operations for CSL Behring, capping a long and successful career in the biopharmaceutical industry where his work helped bring new lifesaving medicines to patients in need.
His greatest joy in life was his family beginning with Sue (Little), his Mrs. Sippy Queen and the center of his life. Together, they had many adventures, always with daughter Alison and son Chase at the center of everything. Later, Craig would welcome a son-in-law Kyle Henderson and Charleigh, a granddaughter he adored.
The family asks that donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the American Red Cross, but even more important the family urges everyone to consider giving blood and becoming a stem cell or bone marrow donor (bethematch.org) in Craig’s memory.
The family will receive their relatives and friends at the Varcoe-Thomas Funeral Home, 344 North Main Street, Doylestown, PA 18901 on Thursday, August 11, 2022 from 5:00-8:00 pm with a service to be held during this time period.
Private cremation will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to:
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 100 N. 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102 www.givenow.lls.org
Be the Match (an organization that helps with stem cell and bone marrow donation) www.bethematch.org, or the
American Red Cross (give blood or donate) www.redcross.org would be appreciated.
Send condolences to www.varcoethomasfuneralhome.com
Throughout his life, Craig Coffman could never quite believe his good luck.
He built a big life filled with family he cherished, lifelong friends he thoroughly enjoyed and a rewarding career that took him all over the world and made so much possible. And yet, despite his every success, Craig never really stopped seeing himself as the boy next door from Wichita. He was equally fascinated and delighted by the way things turned out, a beautiful life that truly exceeded his every expectation.
Craig was right, he was lucky, and to know him made us all lucky too. Craig’s vibrant personality and the ability to tell a great story made him a fun friend to many. He discovered a deep and lasting love for the open water spending as much time as possible boating with family and friends aboard the Mrs. Sippy Queen exploring the Chesapeake Bay.
Born January 22, 1954 to high school sweethearts Allen and Barbara (Hammond) Coffman (pre-deceased) he was raised in Wichita, Kansas where he was active in multiple sports and the Boy Scouts, earning the distinguished title of Eagle Scout. Craig was a beloved brother to Denise Lipsey (Craig Lipsey). He graduated from Wichita State University and always remained an avid Shocker fan. His career took him to both Philadelphia and Washington, DC, quickly making him a committed fan of the Phillies and Washington Redskins (he wasn’t fond of the name change and he let you know it).
At the time of his death, Craig was Head of Clinical Development Operations for CSL Behring, capping a long and successful career in the biopharmaceutical industry where his work helped bring new lifesaving medicines to patients in need.
His greatest joy in life was his family beginning with Sue (Little), his Mrs. Sippy Queen and the center of his life. Together, they had many adventures, always with daughter Alison and son Chase at the center of everything. Later, Craig would welcome a son-in-law Kyle Henderson and Charleigh, a granddaughter he adored.
The family asks that donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the American Red Cross, but even more important the family urges everyone to consider giving blood and becoming a stem cell or bone marrow donor (bethematch.org) in Craig’s memory.
The family will receive their relatives and friends at the Varcoe-Thomas Funeral Home, 344 North Main Street, Doylestown, PA 18901 on Thursday, August 11, 2022 from 5:00-8:00 pm with a service to be held during this time period.
Private cremation will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to:
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 100 N. 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102 www.givenow.lls.org
Be the Match (an organization that helps with stem cell and bone marrow donation) www.bethematch.org, or the
American Red Cross (give blood or donate) www.redcross.org would be appreciated.
Send condolences to www.varcoethomasfuneralhome.com