UNI Position
Music Faculty

ANAHEIM, Calif. - James A. Coffin, 84, of Anaheim, and a former resident of Indiana, passed away April 9, at home after a battle with a long-term illness. He was born in Waterloo, Iowa, on Jan. 11, 1931. 

He is survived by his wife, Kathy Coffin; daughter Kimberly (Michael) Allard; sons Marc Coffin and Cris (Betty McLarney) Coffin; eight grandchildren, Jamison, Melysa, Zachary, Amanda, Kaleigh, Stevi, Cortnee and Emily; six great-grandchildren, Cayden, Jace, Avery, Carson, Mila and Noah; and extended family, including Billie Coffin. 

Jim worked for Selmer of Elkhart, Ind., and he retired from Yamaha Drums in 1993. Jim had a huge impact on the music industry. Jim's celebration of life service will be Saturday, May 2, in Anaheim Hills. Memorials may be sent to the James Coffin Visiting Artist Jazz Fund, University of Northern Iowa Foundation, Office of Financial Services, 121 Commons, Cedar Falls, IA 50614. 

Copyright Elkhart Truth on-line edition; downloaded April 29, 2015.