Woodfin 'Woody' Coche
June 4, 1925 ~ August 29, 2009
Resided in:
Arden, NC
Arden ~ Woodfin "Woody" E. Coche`, age 84, formerly of Detroit, Michigan died on Saturday, August 29, 2009 in Asheville, NC.
He was born June 4, 1925 in Detroit, Michigan. The son of the late Zeb Coche` and Stella Edmonds Coche` Moore. He married Sally Lorenz on October 14, 1983 in St. Clair Shores, MI. He and Sally have resided in the Asheville area for 19 years.
In addition to his wife he is survived by his son, Chris Coche` and wife Gail, daughter-in-law Nancy Coche`; five grandchildren, Kimberly Hanner and husband Patrick, Joseph Coche` and wife Megan, Scott Coche` and wife Malia, Mary Daniels and Anna Coche`; six great-grandchildren, Kiana Coche`, Charles and Sean Hanner, Jevon Coche`, Troy and Maxwell Daniels; and his former wife, Grace Coche`. He was preceded in death by his son, Brad Coche`; two sisters, Myrtle Rector and Bonnie "Bea" Grutze and his brother, John "Bill" Coche`. He will also be missed by his many nieces and nephews. As well as dear friends, George Maurer, Jerry Beebe, Jeanie and Dave Harper, Sue Fillmore and his loving family at Living Savior Lutheran Church.
He joined the Merchant Marines at the age of 17 and served in World War II as a stationary engineer. After discharge he continued his engineering career in Detroit, MI. He started his flying career in 1949 and became the owner and operator of Skylark Flying Service at Detroit City Airport and was a FAA Flight Examiner until 1975. He taught engineering at Macomb Community College until his move to Asheville in 1990. He then began another career in real estate from which he retired at the age of 81.
A memorial service will be held 2:00 P.M. Saturday, September 5, 2009 at Living Savior Lutheran Church, 301 Overlook Road, Asheville, NC with Pastor John Qualmann officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions in Woody's name be considered for the Memorial Fund of Cancer Care of WNC, 445 Biltmore Center, Suite 100 Asheville, NC 28801.
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Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Woody was a truly amazing man and I know how bravely he battled with health issues these past years. I will always remember Woody as a kind, caring, gentle man and he was a true inspiration to everyone who knew him. Woody touched so many lives and now he has moved on to his reward in heaven. Please accept our deepest sympathy and let us know if we can do anything for you.
My deepest sympathy to the family and loved ones during this time of grief. I can always picture Woody walking around the pond with his bucket of corn to feed the ducks and how favorably the ducks responded to him. He will be missed and our prayers are with you.
Carolyn and I are very sorry for your loss Sally. I enjoyed our real estate relationship in the early 90’s with Woody and I am very thankful our paths crossed. Our condolences to the family.
Judd and Carolyn Richardson
Woody was greatly loved by all of us and will be missed. My love to you all
Oh what a wonderful man has left this earth! I worked with Woody when he was in Blue Ridge Physical Therapy. He was truly an inspiration in the way he approached life. I recall his postive attitude as he told me of his prvious cancer battles. I can still remember the stories he told me of growing up and working his first job. I also can still see his smiling face and shall never forget him. What a gift for me that our paths crossed! God bless!
Sally, I am sorry to hear of Woody’s passing. He was so special and the two of you were fortunate to have each other. Thinking of you…
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Woody was an extraordinary man and will be missed by many.
Don and Flo Burton
Our deepest sympathy to family and friends of Woody. May God comfort you during this sad time.
We pray also that the many fond memories you have of Woody both keep him alive in your heart and actually enable you to experience joy that will carry you through.
Woody has won the race — he has received eternal life with God in heaven! All praise and glory to God our Father!
This was not just my loss of our dear ‘Uncle Bud’. I am his niece Norma who was the daughter if his sister Bonnie ‘Bea’ Coche Grutze. He was there the day I was born. Along with cousin Bill, Kin, Paul, Sandy, Betty all of the Peircel family of brothers and sisters.I am saying how much we all will miss this wonderful man that showed us all the right and wrong in life and was always there for us when ever we needed him. Sally, we are so sorry for your loss and keep in mind that Uncle Bud in one way or another helped all of us grow into great adults. He will help so many other in his life with God’s will now and he will be missed here on earth so much. All of us will have him in our hearts until the Lord calls us home also and we get to see that smile and get our big hug from our wonderful UNCLE BUD. God bless you Sally for your love and care during his time of need.
My Dearest Sally,
I am so lacking for words of comfort for your loss – Woody was a one of a kind man in so many ways! Thank you for letting me be a part of his memorial service.
I will never forget him grilling me after each of my flight lessons @ KAVL. I forever thank my lucky stars he was NOT my FAA flight examiner(!) on my check ride!! (lol) but consider myself so fortunate to have known him as a friend and mentor.
I remain forever envious of the true love you two shared – it is an inspiration to me and so many others.
Please let me share in your fond memories of such a wonderful person!
Hoping I’d find your email address – – but ran across this instead. I hope you’re fine – and remembering all the good times. Do you believe our history goes back to when YOU were 12 years old???? Wow!! Big hugs, Jean