David Thomas Coughlin's Obituary
David was born to Edna Mary Brenack and Raymond Thomas Coughlin in Brooklyn NY. He grew up on Long Island in Merrick NY where he graduated from high school and attended college before enlisting in the Navy in 1967. He has many life-long friends from NY including Bill Baxter, Linda and Bob Connor and Floyd and Sandy Kinsey.
In the Navy he taught electronics to sailors and eventually provided avionics tech support aboard naval aircraft in Florida, Spain and Maryland. He and his wife Rebecca were blessed with two children, Kathleen Elisabeth (Calhoun) and David Scott. He had many adventures in and around Spain with the kids and they spent lots of time on the beaches there. He retired from the Navy in 1988 and after briefly working with contractors associated with Patuxent River NAS, he hired on as a civilian for the Navy in aviation logistics.
He met the love of his life, Linda Grimm, in 1992 at Solomons Island MD and they married there in 1994 and have spent 31 years together. With wonderful friends they spent their time having many adventures and spreading lots of love.
While he was still employed, he decided to pursue a lifelong dream and attended law school at the University of Maryland. He received his JD degree in 1999 and passed the bar. Most of his legal activities involved volunteering for family mediation for the community.
He was a 51-year member of the Wesconnett Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in Jacksonville, FL.
After retirement David hiked large parts of the Appalachian trail and some of the John Muir trail. He and Linda found hikes and bike rides all over the US, Canada and Europe for adventures. He also loved playing bridge and for several years he directed 3 bridge groups at local senior centers in Southern Maryland.
His love of children and dogs was well known and happily reciprocated by those kids and dogs. He took his daily walks with a pocketful of dog treats. He told many owners that their dogs were saying “hey, that’s a friend I haven’t met yet” but it also applied to David- there were no strangers in his world. He loved the world and worked to support others, always, by donating time, effort, food, clothing, or whatever was needed.
David leaves behind his wife Linda, his loving children David and Kate, his grandchildren Amber, Bryan, Stell and Callum. In addition he has 13 adopted and step grandchildren, great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren.
If you would like to honor David please consider donating to Wounded Warrior Project, Homes for our Troops, K9 for Warriors, Toys for Tots, Warrior Expeditions, your local pet no-kill shelter, or the charity of your choice.
There will be a celebration of life planned and announced in the coming weeks.
What’s your fondest memory of David?
What’s a lesson you learned from David?
Share a story where David's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with David you’ll never forget.
How did David make you smile?