After 83 years as a son, brother, father, husband, uncle, grandfather, serviceman, restaurateur, realtor, musician, and friend, Vern Coghlan left this world on July 6, 2023 in Dallas, Texas.

Vern was the third of five children born to Zona and Gus Coghlan on June 9, 1940 in the rural town of Edinburg, Mississippi. He was a tall, skinny, athletic kid who came to be known affectionately as “Slim.” He was a hard-working teenager and popular among his classmates. Vern graduated from Edinburg High School in 1958 and entered the U.S. Air Force as a phlebotomist.

In addition to an honorable career, the Air Force provided an avenue for Vern to share his musical talent on the bass guitar. He was a proud member of Tops in Blue, a touring performance ensemble of active duty military members that traveled the world to entertain military personnel and their families. His six-year service took him to Europe, Alaska, and ultimately Washington D.C. It was there at the Andrews Air Force Base medical lab that he met Nancy Martin, a newly enlisted lab technician from Miami, Florida. They were married on January 20, 1968 in Miami and began a 55-year adventure together.

Following his time in the Air Force, Vern’s civilian career was diverse and rewarding. He was a great cook — a passion that served him well as the manager of Mr. C’s Restaurant in Jackson, Mississippi, and later as owner of multiple Western Sizzlin’ Steakhouse and Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken franchises in Colorado. He earned several franchisee awards and was asked to consult on the opening of the first Popeyes franchise in London, England, where he lived with Nancy and their daughter Jill for a summer. After a move to Scottsdale, Arizona, Vern became a successful realtor, working alongside his older brother Buck and his wife Rhoda for twenty years. In his retirement, Vern loved relocating to different cities and remodeling homes along the way. He and Nancy eventually landed in Raleigh, North Carolina to be closer to family.

Vern was a patriot with a staunch work ethic and steadfast loyalty to his wife and daughters. He is survived by his wife Nancy, daughters Kathy Coghlan Mecom (Jim) and Jill Coghlan-Uttridge (Mark), grandchildren Bennett and Kendall Mecom and Ryan and Eli Uttridge, younger brother John Coghlan (Dee), sister-in-law Rhoda Coghlan, and many nieces and nephews to whom he was always known as Uncle Slim. He is preceded in death by his brothers Buck Coghlan, Chuck Coghlan, and sister Kathy Coghlan Touchton (Herb).

The family will honor and celebrate Vern privately. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Wounded Warrior Project in Vern’s name.