Bruce Crawford Coffman

Chief Warrant Officer Bruce Crawford Coffman

Born-15 July 1946 Recalled - 22 July 2026

Bruce was born in Topeka to parents Floyd Hurst Coffman and Geraldine Crawford at Christ Hospital. His grandparents were Homer & Hazel Crawford and Clyde Wilson & Minerva Bragg Coffman.

Bruce was an original “baby boomer” and lived up to the name. He attended school in Ottawa graduating in 1964 where he was involved in 4-H and lettered in football and track. He then attended Kemper Military Academy participating in the cadet corps, football, wrestling and track. After graduating in 1966. He enrolled at Pittsburg State University graduating with a major in political science. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha and named “man of the year”.

After graduation, Bruce joined the U.S. Army in 1969 and was a combat veteran of Vietnam and Cambodia and later served in Thailand and South Korea in military intelligence. He was selected to join the Defense Intelligence Agency and served in the military attaché system with U.S. embassies in Afghanistan (76-79), Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador and the Philippines. During his military service Bruce received many citations, awards, and commendations; too numerous to mention

Bruce retired from the military after 22 years of service but did not stay retired long. He joined the Kansas Bureau of Investigation first as an agent of the drug strike force and later in the firearms and tool marks section.

Bruce was always looking for new adventures, playing sports or trying out hobbies, and was never without a book to read. He graduated from DLI (Spanish) and was currently studying Potawatomi. He was a certified skydiver, taekwondo black belt-2nd degree, certified scuba diver, ran numerous marathons, and became a master wood carver. And oh yes—he did make a hole-in-one.

Never without a canine companion, Bruce & his wife raised and trained Afghan Hounds, Chinese Shar Pei, and Hungarian Pumik, attaining many AKC championships and obedience/agility/rally titles. His crowning achievement was earning a top 25 all-breed obedience ranking with his Lanyka. Bruce’s mantra was “there are no bad dogs, only untrained dogs.”

Bruce was a life-long Methodist (currently Silver Lake UMC), 59-year member of the Ottawa Masonic Lodge and belonged to the Fontana American Legion Post.

Bruce was preceded by his grandparents, parents, in-laws Vernon and Geraldine Moore, brother-in-law Leland Moore, and son-in-law Dr. Michael Stephenson.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra: children, Heather Ozlislo (Stephen), Bruce Chae Coffman (Vidria), Geraldine (Chad) Miller, and Soraiya: his princesses Ashleigh, Adrian (fiancé Jon), Paige Alexis, Amelia, Nyalla, and prince Aemon, who will miss their oh-pa immensely; brother Hurst Coffman; sisters Martha Curtis (Patrick) and Geraldine Coffman; and nephew Brendan Gallagher; many many friends and relatives and ten furry companions.

We are heartbroken that he has left us but his presence will be always with us. He is saluting his comrades in arms and walking with his pups that have already crossed the rainbow bridge. He lived his life to the fullest and the best way to remember and honor Bruce is to do something you really enjoy; try a new adventure, read a good book, or just watch a beautiful Kansas sunset.

A time of remembrance for Bruce will be held after regular church services at Silver Lake United Methodist Church on August 9, 2026 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Inurnment and full military honors will be held in October at the Union Cemetery in rural Douglas County.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Silver Lake United Methodist Church, Wounded War Project or to Topeka/Shawnee County Helping Hands Humane Society.

Parker-Price and Davidson Cremations and Funerals in Topeka is assisting the family.