Merritt Calvin Coffield

Merritt Calvin “Cal” Coffield, 85, of Oxford, died peacefully in his sleep on October 4, 2010, in his home. Born April 28, 1925, in Moundsville, West Virginia, he was the son of the late, Cecil and Mary Coffield. Reared in Middle Grave Creek near Moundsville, he enlisted in the Marine Corp during World War II at the age of 17 and fought in the Pacific campaigns until the end of the war. He subsequently studied geology at the University of West Virginia, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree, and did graduate studies at Ohio State University. He began his career in the oil fields of West Texas before commencing a long and successful career in the international oil and gas business, working in Saudi Arabia, British Somalia, Guatamala, Venezuela, Yemen, and Guatamala a second time during which time he married Catherine E. Madsen of New York after a seven day courtship. They moved to Libya, during which time their three sons, Dana Q. Coffield, Eric D. Coffield, and Alan B. Coffield were born in New York, Malta and Rome respectively. Career assignments continued to Chicago, Ecuador, Lebanon, United Kingdom, Pakistan, Algeria and Sharjah (United Arab Emirates), before he retired as an executive with Amoco International in 1985. His retirement since has been spent on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, fishing, traveling and enjoying the growth of his family. Cal is survived by his wife of 53 years, Catherine E. Coffield, and his sons, Dana Q. Coffield and wife, Denise, Eric D. Coffield, and Alan B. Coffield; grandsons, Ian and Troy Coffield; granddaughters, Sara and Eryn “Alex” Coffield; brothers, Dale Coffield, Charlie Coffield and Dexter Coffield, and sister Peg Gribben. In addition to his parents, Cal was predeceased by his brothers, Cecil “Junior” Coffield, Kenneth Coffield and John Coffield. A gathering will be held on Thursday, October 7, 2010 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., 200 South Harrison Street, Easton, MD 21601. A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 8, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. at the Oxford United Methodist Church, 101 North Morris Street, Oxford, MD 21654. Interment will follow in Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to a charity of your choice if desired.

Merritt Calvin Coffield

April 28, 1925 - October 4, 2010