John Edgar Coolidge, 87
John Edgar Coolidge, 87, of Bayard, Nebraska, passed away Friday, August 5, 2022. His memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 12, 2022, at the Bayard Church of Christ with Pastor Tom Smith officiating. Inurnment will follow at Bayard Cemetery. Services will be livestreamed on Bridgman Funeral Home’s Facebook Page.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Bayard American Legion Post #200 or Bayard Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department in memory of John. Online condolences may be made by viewing John’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome. com. John Edgar was born at home in Broadwater November 10, 1934. He was the son of Charles and Helen (Covalt) Coolidge, the middle child of five. John passed away at home August 5, 2022.
His early education was at Broadwater, Bayard and Stoneham (CO) as the family followed Charles’ railroad work.
John graduated from Stoneham High School in 1952. He lived with Norbert and Elmer Ivan his senior year when his parents moved to back to Nebraska. He always said he graduated in the top six of his class (there were only six graduates). He and Violet always enjoyed his school reunions when they were able to attend.
John played both high school and town team basketball.
John served in the Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Alaska. He was proud of his service and always wanted to go back but never got the chance.
He returned home after his time in the war was finished.
He worked in the oilfields for a time with his brothers. He later attended Scottsbluff Junior College.When he came back to Bayard, a young waitress at the Tiger Den caught his eye and heart and he married her in October 1959. He was employed the remainder of his career as store manager for KK Appliance (later Kugler’s) for 45 years until his retirement at age 70.
John and Violet (McDaniel) and were blessed with two sons, Don and Dan.The couple traveled many miles over the years following the boys’ school and college activities. John was a volunteer scorekeeper during boys’ basketball. He also timed at track meets.They continued driving those miles to attend as many of their three grandchildren’s activities as they could.
When the boys were growing up, the family would fish, camp and go to the Bridgeport sandpits to water ski. They also travelled to see their immediate family for holidays and vacations.
John was a fifty-year member of the Bayard Volunteer Fire Department and a proud member of the Bayard American Legion Post #200. He was a member of the Bayard Presbyterian Church until it closed. He served on the Bayard City Council. He also served on the draft board during the Vietnam war, which he said that was one of the hardest things he had to do. He was a member of the Jaycees and Lions Club.
In 1997, he was the Trailblazer recipient during Chimney Rock Pioneer Days. In 2015, John and Violet were the King and Queen of Pioneer Days and
he was honored for his 50 years on the Fire Department that same weekend.
After Violet passed away in 2017, John stayed in Bayard at their home. He would watch sports on TV. He talked to his sons daily as well as drove around town checking on the City Crew.
John was proceeded in death by his wife of 57 years,Violet, his parents, Charles and Helen, his oldest brother Billie at age 4, former brother-in-law Stan Collamore, and sister-in-law, Mary Ann (Walraven) Coolidge.
Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law Don and Betsy (Cayton), Falls City; Dan and Michelle (Rose), Bayard; granddaughters and spouses, Jaime and Matthew Sallman, Olathe, KS; Kelsey and Ryan Dethlefsen,Wahoo; grandson, Michael Coolidge, Ogallala; and great grandchildren, Ella and Ezra Sallman, Luke and Grace Dethlefsen. He is also survived by older brother, Donald, Midland, TX; younger brother,Vern and his wife, Shirley (Parker) Lewisville,TX and younger sister, Mary Helen Collamore, Williamsburg,VA. He is also survived by nephews and nieces and their families.