Frederic (Fred) Aurelius Coffey Jr left this life peacefully on February 28, 2024, surrounded by loving family. Fred courageously embraced a peaceful departure on his own terms, declining to undergo a high-risk surgery and a post-operative life that would have run contrary to the zest that was his gift to all who knew him. In celebrating his final hours, Fred enthusiastically joined the family in songs, laughter, strolls down memory lane, and finally, a rowdy toast to his remarkable life. The family would like to apologize to anyone in the ICU that night who may have thought they were in an Irish pub.

Fred's proud service to his country began as a US Marine, and continued through a long and distinguished career as a Diplomat in the US Foreign Service. With 4 children born in 3 continents, Fred and his beloved wife Jane always created a safe and loving family home wherever they served, including Brazil, Nicaragua, Thailand, Indonesia and Argentina. During rotations back to the US, Fred directed the Voice of America's Indonesia Division, and taught courses in diplomacy at the National Defense University in Washington, DC. Upon retirement from the Foreign Service, Fred and family moved back to McLean, Virginia, where Fred continued to pursue his passion for democratic ideals as an Election Monitor in 12 nations, through the auspices of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). In 2014 Fred and Jane returned to his Texas roots in Denton, while maintaining his Washington connections and continuing his ardent advocacy for Public Diplomacy in US foreign policy.

Fred's many passions included: hotly debating international affairs with his Tertulia discussion group in Virginia; pounding the humid tennis courts of Bangkok and Jakarta until the evening mosquitos ran everyone off; hamming it up onstage at Constitution Hall with his zany Barbershop group, the Singing Capital Chorus; running/walking/limping across the finish lines at Marine Corps marathons; cherishing music and fellowship at the First Christian Church; Zooming with his Thursday Spanish Conversation Group; pumping iron (still going strong at 93!) at the Denton Senior Center; and watching the sun go down from the deck at the family farm in Aubrey, Texas, with 2 fingers of Maker's Mark if you please.

Born on April 21, 1930 in El Paso, Texas, to Dr Fred A. Coffey Sr. and Sarah Verna (Cox) Coffey, Fred grew up in Denton, Ithaca, New York, and Asuncion, Paraguay. After studying at the University of North Texas for 2 years (where he was class president both years), Fred completed his Bachelor's in Economics at the University of Texas – Austin. Fred attained a Master's in Economics at Louisiana State University, under the GI bill.

Fred is survived by his children Frederic Aurelius (Kathy) Coffey III, Jeffrey Philip (Susanne) Coffey, Teresa Carol (Michael Doughten) Coffey, and William Patrick (Patricia) Coffey, and grandchildren Tate Besougloff, Logan Besougloff, Cooper Besougloff, Taz Coffey, Kavi Allard, Moschell Coffey, and Hamilton Coffey.

All are welcome to share memories of a life full of compassion, tenacity, and "peace through understanding" at 2pm Friday, May 17th, at the Celebration of Life to be held at the First Christian Church of Denton. On Saturday, May 18, a private get-together will be held in Aubrey, TX, for family and close friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any gifts or donations be sent to Denton County Friends of the Family at https://dcfof.org/donate/