Palestine High School Alumni Association

09 / 25 / 1935  –  07 / 18 / 2008

Mr. Arnold D. “Jeff” Jeffcoat, 72 of Iola, WI, and formerly of Palestine, passed away Friday, July 18, 2008 at Crystal River Nursing and rehabilitation Center in Waupaca.  Arnold was born in Blackford, Texas on September 25, 1935.  He was the son of the late Millard Ray and Lena (Lane) Jeffcoat.

Arnold grew up in Palestine, Texas.  He served two years in the Texas National Guard while attending Palestine High School, where he also played varsity football.  After graduation in 1954, he served four years in the U.S. Coast Guard.  While stationed on the East Coast, he met the lovely Joan Sylvia in New Bedford, Mass., and she became his wife of 50 years.  He then spent two years in the reserves.  He attended Boston University and graduated from Baylor University with major in journalism and Radio-TV community cations.

During his early career he worked at DWTX-TV in Waco and was a reporter for the New Bedford, Mass Standard Times.  He later was a writer for Coin World and the editor of Gun Week, both based in Sidney, Ohio.  While at Gun Week he was invited to the White House to share his expertise on gun legislation.  He also became an award-winnin trapshooter.  In 1974, he was named editor of Numismatic News in Iola, WI,. where he remained for several years.  He then published The Jeffcoat Report, a numismatic newsletter.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Jeffcoat, who resided at Crystal River Nursing and Rehab Center; daughter, Pamela Beaster and husband Michael of Sister Bay, WI; son,, Alan Jeffcoat and wife Heidi of Racine, WI; grandchildren, Haley and Abby Jeffcoate.  He was preceded in death by four brothers and one sister.

A memorial gathering of family and friends will be held at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca on Saturday, August 2, 2009 from 1 – 3 p.m.  The Holly Funeral Home listed at 526 S. Main Street, Waupaca, WI is assisting the family with arrangements.