Little League International mourns the passing of Terry Coburn, former Senior and Big League Softball World Series Umpire Coordinator. He was 76.
Mr. Coburn began volunteering at Vicksburg (Michigan) Little League in 1976. He started coaching, served on the grounds crew and was a member of the Board of Directors, but most of all he found his passion for umpiring softball. He remained on the Vicksburg Little League Board and volunteered for 43 years.
He umpired many local, district, state, and region tournament games as well as in the Big League Softball World Series. He also umpired in Little League tournaments throughout the United States and Canada. Mr. Coburn was a member of the Michigan District 2 and 15 staffs, serving as Umpire-In-Chief. He hosted several local, state, and regional umpire clinics, and umpired softball at the high school and collegiate levels.
During the years that Kalamazoo was the host city for the Senior and Big League Softball World Series, he served as the Umpire Coordinator for those annual events.
In 1964, three years after his high school graduation, Mr. Coburn enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He attended basic and supplemental training in San Diego, California, and achieved the rank of sergeant while working as a radio technician. He served a tour of active duty in 1966-67 during the Vietnam Conflict.
Following his honorable discharge from the Marine Corp, Mr. Coburn and his wife, Sally, returned Mr. Coburn’s hometown, Fulton, Michigan. He attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC), earning an associate degree. Following graduation, he was hired by KVCC and spent 38 years with the college, retiring as the Supervisor of Media Services. Mr. Coburn was also a Mason for more than 50 years, achieving a 32nd degree level.
Mr. Coburn is survived by his wife, Sally; son, Scott; daughter, Katie; and granddaughters, Aubrey and Ashlen. He was predeceased by his parents, Richard and Muriel Coburn.