Walter Cleve (Squink) Coffee

Walter Cleve (Squink) Coffee, 93, of Miami, died November 13, 2015 in Miami. Services will be at 2:00 PM Monday, November 16, 2015, at First Baptist Church in Miami, with Monty Wheeler, officiating. Burial will follow in the Miami Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa. Walter was born October 24, 1922 at the Coffee Ranch east of Miami, to Clyde Merwyn and Abigail Edith Gripp Coffee. He was the grandson of Cleaveland and Mattie L. Coffee, who were prominent early pioneers of Roberts County. Walter entered the U. S. Army in 1943. While stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington, he met his future wife, Irene Gutschow. They were married October 23, 1944. He was later stationed in Anchorage, Alaska and then transferred to Fort Polk, Louisiana before being honorably discharged in 1946. Walter and Irene moved back to Roberts County where they raised their family. Squink personified a work ethic that today is not often seen. His word was his bond and was a true friend, but family was priority. He was a rancher who loved the outdoors and was a natural working with cattle and horses. Squink and his brother, Tom, bought the Coffee Ranch from Mattie L. Coffee and raised cattle. He later purchased a dozer and heavy equipment and built stock ponds and dams in Roberts and Gray Counties. Walter served on the Miami ISD School Board, was a member of the First Baptist Church of Miami, the American Legion Post 0106, and the McLean Country Club. Squink and Irene both loved western music and enjoyed dancing. He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene; a granddaughter, Katherine Grace Coffee; and two brothers, C. M. Coffee and Tom Franklin Coffee. Survivors include two sons, Harold Coffee and wife Bobbie of Canadian, and Charles Coffee and wife Rolanda of Higgins; one daughter, Cindy Wheeler and husband Ben of Miami; grandchildren, Clint Wheeler and wife Leah of Burleson, Cleve Wheeler and wife Daphne of Miami, Abbie Pitt and husband Billy Paul of Amarillo, Cameron Coffee and wife Cara of Portland, Oregon, Logan Coffee and wife Leslie, Ada Hill and husband Travis, all of Canadian, Jim Coffee of Austin; and 17 great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Roberts County Museum or the Roberts County Library.