Daniel Edward Coughlin Jr.

Dan was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1942 to Daniel Edward Coughlin Sr. and Claire A. Perry. Dan was nine years old when his only sibling, Jimmy, was born. Although family struggles intertwined with Dan’s childhood, he recalled shenanigans and good times with family and friends.

In 1961 after high school, Dan was headed to typewriter repair school when his buddy and he enlisted in the military. He trained for and began his career in the United States Air Force as a radar mechanic at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Not long after, Dan was assigned to a Cold War radar station on the Canadian border in Baudette, Minnesota. He frequented the dedicated servicemen’s dock at Adrian’s Resort, where he met his future wife, Faye Adrian. Dan enjoyed deer hunting, lake and ice fishing on Lake of the Woods, and, most of all, the camaraderie he found around the lodge in northern Minnesota.

In 1965, Dan married Faye. Together, while traveling from one military duty station to another—the Philippines, Vermont, Illinois, Alaska, Alabama, and Texas—they raised three daughters: Lisa, Lori, and Kelly. Dan also had an unaccompanied tour of duty in Vietnam while assigned to Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines.

With changing technology and military needs, Dan eventually trained to become a computer programming technician. He and his family enjoyed the diversity of their varied assignment locations—camping at Mt. McKinley (Denali), fishing in the ocean amongst the eagles and otters, driving America’s highways, visiting many scenic and historic sites across the nation, and listening to country music singers in dancehalls around San Antonio.

In 1984, Dan retired from the Air Force as a Master Sergeant. He used the GI Bill to earn his bachelor’s degree in Business and worked part-time as a horse racing track bet teller at nearby Retama Park Race Track. He looked forward to an annual trip to Adrian’s Resort and considered Minnesota his heart home.

Dan was well-liked and was in his element socializing and entertaining—“fun to be in his company.” He appreciated and noted the character and value of restaurants and businesses and eagerly imparted his knowledge and expertise to others. Family visitors considered him to be an excellent “tour guide”.

Dan was a proud man. He was quick to share his grandchildren’s accomplishments with friends and strangers alike, was sharp with math and numbers, a fierce competitor in any card or dice game, especially Pinochle, was never at a loss for a joke or story, and was honored by and celebrated his Irish heritage and military service.

Dan is preceded in death by his parents, wife, and brother. He is survived by his three daughters and three grandchildren—Megan, Travis, and Jake.

An outdoor graveside burial service with full military honors is to be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas, on the morning of Thursday, October 24, 2024, at eleven o’clock, Shelter #1. There is open access to the cemetery, no base pass or gate clearance required. All are welcome as we share in reverence.

Donations received will go toward a memorial recognition in Dan’s name at the Lake of the Woods Veterans Memorial in Baudette, Minnesota. Memories, condolences, and donations can be sent to the family home, care of:

Lisa Ritzert

12910 Bisquet Pt.

San Antonio, TX 78233