James H Cofer lll

James Henry Cofer III was born on April 16, 1947, in Long Branch NJ to parents, Marion Cofer and the late James H. Cofer. On November 19, 2022 after battling a long term illness, Jim, at the age of 75, was called home by the Lord while resting peacefully in the hospital.

Called Jimmy by his friends, he attended the Long Branch School System, graduating from High School in 1965. He then attended Trenton State College and Ocean County College, followed by The McAllister School of Mortuary Science in New York, where he obtained his license to practice Mortuary Science and become a Funeral Director.

Jimmy represented the 3rd generation of funeral directors in his family, which began with his great uncle James Harrison Beckett, the creator of the Newark based James H. Beckett Funeral Home, operated by Jim’s father, James Cofer. Together, he and his father went on to manage and operate the F. Leon Harris Funeral Home in Red Bank, which ultimately became Cofer Memorial Funeral Home in Red Bank. Simultaneously, Jim managed the Cofer Hawkins Funeral Home in East Orange, NJ working with both his father and sister, Linda Cofer-Hawkins. His career as a practitioner of mortuary science spanned over 50 years.

Raised in the church, Jim attended Sunday School at Second Baptist Church in Long Branch where he was baptized and in 1987 met Shirley A. Marshall, who became his wife of 33 years. Of that union was born two daughters, Ashley Nicole and Jamie Lynn. Jim was a family man who read his bible daily and enjoyed sharing activities with his girls including Jack & Jill of America. Later he became a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Red Bank where he worshiped for most of his adult life until recently returning to his home church, Second Baptist Church in Long Branch.

Jim was a member of the Red Bank Men’s Club. His favorite pastime activities were golfing, playing chess and listening to jazz, which he frequently shared with his sister. A lover of history and politics, he quickly became the family go to person for historic information and political commentary.

Predeceased by his father, James Cofer, he is survived by his wife Shirley, two daughters of Ashley and Jamie, his mother Marion Cofer, Sister Linda Cofer- Hawkins brother-in-law Eldridge Hawkins, Nephew, Eldridge Hawkins Jr., Niece Hillary Hawkins and a host of other relatives and friends.

Although he is no longer with us physically, his spirit lives on and memories of him are forever embedded in our hearts.

Interment: Fair View Cemetery, 456 NJ-35, Red Bank, NJ 07701

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