Barry Brooks Coffin

Barry Brooks Coffin
Artist and sculptor Barry Brooks Coffin, 69, passed away on December 4, 2016 in Santa Fe. Barry’s “end of the trail” was unexpected, but his family and friends are comforted knowing he was in a beautiful place spiritually among his friends in Oak Rose Society.
Barry is survived by his devoted canine companion Rocky; brothers Doug Coffin (Kaaren) of Abiquiu, NM: Tom Coffin (Julia) of Scottsdale, AZ; and Lynn Coffin (Carly) of Durango, CO; son Michael Worsham; grandchild Ashley Worsham; nephews Brian Coffin, Erik Coffin (Meryl), and Gabrial Coffin, grand-nephews Miro and River Coffin; grand-nieces Paloma and Boheme Coffin; cousins Betty Stone (Paul) of Vienna, VA and Bob Hardage (Sherry) of Houston, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents, Warner A. “Tony” Coffin, Jr. and Lolita (Lolly) Brooks Coffin of Lawrence, Kansas.
Barry was born in Lawrence on September 21, 1947. He was an enrolled member of the Prairie Band of the Potawatomi Nation. He was raised with his brothers at Haskell Institute in Lawrence (now Haskell Indian Nations University) where his father, Tony, was the Coach and Athletic Director for many years.
After graduating from Lawrence High School, Barry attended the University of Kansas and then the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, graduating in 1977. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in Vietnam during the 1968 Tet Offensive.
Barry participated in numerous Indian Markets and Art Exhibitions across the U.S., as well as in France and Canada. He traveled to exotic locations with his adventurous mother Lolly, even cruising the Nile in Egypt. Many musical adventures were enjoyed with his friends Kim and Steve Miller. He will be missed by his golf buddies in Lawrence- life-long friends Charlie, Jerry and Mike.
Barry loved his dogs, Ricky, and previously, Boris, who were his great and constant companions. He enjoyed skiing and hiking in the mountains with Rocky, as well as his ceremonial drumming.
Barry will be remembered for his wicked sense of humor, his thoughtfulness, his original ceramic sculptures and his dedication to and sculptures of the “Thirteen Grandmothers”.
A memorial service for family was held on December 10, 2016 by the Oak Rose Society of Santa Fe. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barry’s memory to the Institute of American Indian Arts Foundation, PO Box 22370, Santa Fe, NM 87502-2370, www.iaia.edu/giving. Arrangements are being handled by Rivera Family Funeral Home in Santa Fe (505-989-7032)
A memorial service will be at the National Cemetery at 9:45am on April 7, 2017. A reception will be at the Rio Chama Steakhouse (414 Old Santa Fe Trail) later in the evening at 5:00.