Jerry Don Coshow

Jerry Don Coshow was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on March 4, 1962 to Frank W. and Dora June Coshow. He passed away peacefully Monday afternoon in his favorite place, his “man cave”, his barn, upon return of a great weekend camping trip with his brothers and family in Sulphur, Oklahoma trying out his new RV camper.

Jerry grew up with his parents and two (2) brothers, Larry and Steve in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma and was part of what was known as the “Elm Street Kids Gang” by many in the town. This gang was a big group made up of the Coshow, Caldwell, Marcum, Norman, Embree, Milligan, Ballard, Slack, Crull, Summers, Bonner, McClains and Crews kids. There was always something going on up and down Elm Street and by this group of kids that played in the yards and in the streets while their parents were away working. Didn’t need a babysitter as we took care of each other and looked after each other. Jerry was one of the youngest and of course he went where his older brothers and Elm Street Kids Gang went!!!

Jerry attended Jefferson Elementary School and Pauls Valley Middle School and High School. He graduated from Pauls Valley High School in 1980 and went on to Oklahoma State University on full scholarship to play football and was a deep snapper for the Cowboys from 1980 to 1984. One of the proudest moments of his playing career was winning the Gator Bowl.  Jerry earned his Bachelors of Education degree from OSU in 1984 and later received his Masters Degree in Administration from Sam Houston State University in 2005.

Upon graduation from OSU Jerry returned to Pauls Valley to work with his dear friend and mentor Tim Reynolds, where his illustrious 39 YEAR coaching and teaching career began. Following a short stint at Pauls Valley, Tim convinced Jerry to move to Chickasha, where they put together a crew that took the Chicks to the state championship twice. Jerry would go on to be the head football coach and athletic director in Healdton, OK. As football families know, this was not the last move Jerry would make, and he landed in Farmersville, TX where he spent three seasons. He got a call from his dear friend Phil Shafer to get the Chickasha boys back in town. This brought him to Joshua, TX where he spent the remainder of his life. Joshua is where he met and married his wife, Deana. He coached football, softball, track, and powerlifting for five years. He ended his coaching career and began his administrative career for Joshua ISD, serving as assistant principal at Loflin Middle School and later Joshua High School. He could always be seen at the ROTC galas, the soccer games, the band concerts, the One Act Play performances, FFA stock shows and banquets, and countless other events and performances Jerry’s lifelong passion was always being there and supporting his students.  

Jerry always loved a good adventure.  He and Deana would frequently take camping trips to Lake Whitney, Cleburne State Park and Lake Arbuckle. They would often take a big enough crew to reserve an entire campground. He loved being Pops to his grandsons Cade and Everett, reading stories and making S’mores, even when Cade just wanted to melt the marshmallows.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Frank W. Coshow and June Coshow, his grandparents, Port and Dode Lewis, Blanchard, Oklahoma, and Frank B. Coshow and Yawana Coshow Hampton, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Deana Coshow, Joshua, Texas, and daughter Cady Coshow Hinderliter and her husband, Chris, Rowlett, Texas. Step-son, Blake Gillihan, his wife Amber, their children, Cade and Everett, Benbrook, Texas; Step-son, Benjamin Gillihan, Bee Cave Texas; father-in-law and mother-in-law Jimmy and Kay Murdock, Alvarado, Texas; brother Larry Coshow and his wife, Julie, Edmond, Oklahoma and their children Zachary Coshow and his wife Whitney and their children, Edmond, Oklahoma, Cale Coshow and his wife, Alex and their son, Edmond, Oklahoma; brother Steven Ray Coshow and his wife, Nikki and their children Courtney Coshow and his wife Courtney and their children, Woodward, Oklahoma and Paiton Coshow and her children, Edmond, Oklahoma. Jerry is also survived by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Joshua ISD Education Foundation at https://www.joshuaeducationfoundation.org or to the Richard Martinez Cancer Fund at https://richard-martinez-cancer-fund.square.site