Guy "Chick" H. Coffee

Guy H. Coffee, County Pioneer, Dies in Florida

Death came unexpectedly Saturday to a long-time Sioux County resident, Guy H. (Chick) Coffee, 78, at Lakeland, Fla., his home for the past 22 years.

Funeral service was held Tuesday at Lakeland at the Heath Funeral Chapel and burial was at Lakeland.

Mr. Coffee was born December 7, 1893, to Samuel Buffington and Mary Elizabeth Coffee and spent the greater part of his life in this area. His father, who had begun ranching in Sioux County in the early 1880's brought the Wils Ernest ranch on the Niobrara in 1898, and the ranch was later incorporated into the Coffee Cattle Company in 1915. That year Guy became vice-president and general manager of the corporation, a position he held for 35 years. His brother Harry was president and his sister Edna later became secretary-treasurer.

In 1915, too, he was married on the reservation at Pine Ridge, S. D., to Miss Ila Conn and they made their home on the ranch. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1965.

In 1950 the corporation was dissolved and the ranch sold to Pete Nunn. Mr. and Mrs. Coffee then moved to Florida where he bought a small ranch and continued to run cattle. Only recently he received recognition in the Florida Cattleman's magazine for his success with the Santa Gertrudis cattle. Guy was an avid sports fan, a civic booster, a life member of the Elks, and a member of the Florida Cattlemen's Association. He and his wife had many friends in both Nebraska and Florida.

Besides his widow, he leaves his brothers Harry B. of Omaha, Rex T. of Chadron, and his sister Edna (Mrs. John B. Cook) of Scottsbluff, as well as several nieces and nephews and their children.

Mrs. Coffee's sister and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Wefso of Rushville, and Mr. and Mrs. Rex Coffee of Chadron, are in Lakeland at this time. Mr. and Bill Coffee returned only last Friday from a visit with the Guy Coffees at Lakeland.

A memorial fund has been started in Sioux county in honor of Mr. Coffee, and will be used for something constructive for the school, park or Fair Grounds. Friends may leave their contributions at the Sioux National Bank or in the Whiteaker's store.

Chick's uncle, the late Colonel Charles F. Coffee was responsible for bringing Chick's father, Samuel Buffington to this country. Charles had come up the trail many years earlier, and later had Buff (Samuel B.) bring some cattle up for him. Buff's first ranch was located on Lickett Creek and is now operated by Chick's nephew, (Buff's grandson), Rex T. Coffee, Jr., also known as Bud Coffee.

Other nieces and nephews in this area are John B. Cook, Jr. in Scottsbluff, and Mrs. John Rosenau of Scottsbluff.

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