Erwin W. Coers 1922-2015

Dear Family and Friends - Cathy and Jay Frank invite you to the memorial service in honor of Cathy's father, Erwin Walter Coers, who passed away on Monday, June 15, 2015.

The service will be held on Thursday, June 18, at 11:30 a.m., in the chapel at the A.D. Bruce Religion Center on the University of Houston campus. The service will be preceded at 10 a.m. by visitation on the second floor of the center. Directions and additional information are below.

Born in San Marcos, Texas, Erwin was the youngest of six children. He is preceded in death by his brother and four sisters, and his parents, Edwin Walter Coers and Lucy Schubert Coers. Nicknamed "Bubba," Erwin moved to Houston in the late 1930's and was a graduate of Reagan High School in 1941. He volunteered to serve during World War II, joining the U.S. Merchant Marines. Erwin was proud of his service and being part of "The Greatest Generation." But at the same time he managed to have a little fun with it: Part of a supply brigade, he arrived at Normandy the day after the D-Day Invasion.

Erwin returned to Houston in the late '40's and a short time later married Leona Pickett, a Louisianan. He went on to have a long career as an engineer, retiring in 1986. An avid sports fan, he and Leona - and of course, Cathy - loved UH athletics. They rarely missed a Cougar football or basketball game, and also were were staunch supporters of the Oilers and Rockets, and the Houston Gamblers football team. When Cathy was a Rockets cheerleader in the 1975-76 season, while she was still in high school, they dutifully drove her to and from every home game.

A highly-skilled gardener, Erwin could do things with plants and flowers that most people could only imagine. Cathy and Jay, who definitely did not have green thumbs, would often call on him to bring their plants back to life. He also enjoyed history and country music.

Although he was soft-spoken and mild-mannered, Erwin obviously was tough as nails on the inside. That became apparent in his later years as he battled deteriorating hearing and eyesight, worsening arthritis, and congestive heart failure. Although he endured a lot, he rarely complained. His passing came on the day before what would have been his and Leona's 65th wedding anniversary.

Besides Cathy and Jay, Erwin is survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

We want to thank some of those who treated and cared for Erwin the past few years, including: Drs. Roger Schultz, Michael Mitschke, Gary Kraus and Kenneth Podell; Dr. Joseph Masdeu of the Nantz National Alzheimer Center; and the staffs of Atria Westchase Senior Living and Galleria Residence and Rehabilitation Center. Thanks also to Ms. Johnnie Lyman, Erwin's private caregiver the past three months. In lieu of flowers, you might make a donation to one of the following charities:

1) Psi Zeta Chapter Foundation Scholarship Fund, Chi Omega Foundation, 3395 Players Club Parkway, Memphis, TN 38125. Checks are payable to Chi Omega Foundation, memo line Psi Zeta - Erwin Coers.

2) UH Cougar Marching Band, c/o Office of University Bands, 120 School of Music Building, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204-4017. Checks are payable to the University of Houston.

To get to the A.D. Bruce Religion Center, take Cullen Boulevard to campus entrance No. 13. Just click on this link: www.uh.edu Note: The arm of the parking-lot gate will be up. If the lot is full, you can park nearby in the UH Hilton garage, or in the parking garage adjacent to the football stadium.

On behalf of Erwin, we want to thank you for your friendship and kindness. It will help us get through the coming days, weeks and months.