Venton Royce Coburn's Obituary
Venton Royce Coburn, age 92, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2025, in Leesville, Louisiana surrounded by family. Venton was born on January 8, 1933, in Hornbeck, Louisiana to Robert L. and Hattie Hilton Coburn. Venton known as “Papaw” by his family and “Coach” by his friends, was well known as a gentleman, for his gentle soul and his easy-going style.
Venton grew up in Hornbeck, Louisiana and graduated from Hornbeck High School in 1952. While at Hornbeck High, he received All State honors in basketball and played in the North/South State All Stars game in 1951. Venton attended Northwestern State University where he was a member of the Demons basketball and gymnastics teams. In 1955, Venton volunteered for the US Army and served in the Korean Conflict and was an umpire in the Operation Sage Brush Maneuvers and Heavy Artillery gunner. Venton graduated from Northwestern State University in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree and later earned a Masters degree in physical education and education administration.
In August 1960, Venton married the love of his life Glenda McRae to whom he had been married for 64 years at the time of his passing. In October 1961, Venton and Glenda welcomed twin daughters, Colette and Yvette.
As an educator at Anacoco High School and Anacoco Elementary School, Venton served as a social studies teacher, basketball and baseball coach, assistant principal and principal until his retirement in 1988 after 30 years of service. Venton had a passion for basketball and loved coaching. One of Venton’s proudest accomplishments was when he coached the Lady Indians to victory in their first state championship in 1967. Several members of that championship team helped Venton celebrate his 90th birthday in 2023 at the Anacoco Town Hall. During his 90th birthday celebration, Venton was awarded the Key to the city in appreciation for “All Your Many Years of Service and Dedication to Our Community and the Village of Anacoco”.
Venton continued ‘coaching” from the sidelines over the years as he and Glenda were avid supporters of the Anacoco basketball teams and could often be found in the stands. In 2017 and on the 50th anniversary of the state championship, the old Anacoco High School gym was renamed The Venton Coburn Court.
Venton was a giving man and very active in public service in his post-retirement years. One of his most significant contributions as Alderman to the Village of Anacoco was successfully obtaining a Community Development Block Grant to build a second water tower. In 1989 Venton was elected to a 4-year term as Mayor of the Village of Anacoco and subsequently served as a member of the water board and town council. Venton also served on the Calcasieu Soil and Water Conservation Board for 21 years, the Vernon Parish Board of Election Supervisors and was an honorary member of the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Association.
Venton was always engaged in various hobbies and was an avid sportsman. He loved hunting, fishing, and playing golf. Venton was also a shrewd businessman, raising cattle, selling used cars and building homes. Venton raised registered Simmental cattle on his Cold Springs Farm and in 1980 one of his Louisiana bred bulls won a State Championship in the state 4-H Livestock Show showed by his niece, Molly McRae Miller. Venton served as the President of Vernon Parish Cattleman’s Association in 1994-1995. When he wasn’t working his cattle or negotiating an auto sale, he was playing golf. Whenever his grandsons came to visit, Venton made sure to take them on a golf outing and they looked forward to playing rounds with Papaw.
Venton was a man of faith and a member of the Hornbeck Bible Baptist Church where he served as Treasurer for many years and dedicated many hours of time, service and riches in building the new church. For this, he was very proud of what had been built from the ground.
Venton was also 25-year member of the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana and a Master Mason in Lodge number 319.
Venton is survived by his loving wife, Glenda McRae Coburn, his daughters Colette Coburn Campagna (Frank) of Dallas, Texas, Yvette Coburn, Dallas, Texas and he was very proud of his two grandsons Nicholas Ryan Campagna and Christopher Daniel Campagna of Dallas, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents Robert L. and Hattie Hilton Coburn and his brother, Royal E. Coburn of DeRidder, Louisiana.
Special thanks to his caregivers, Carol Cooper and Elaine Lewis, Companion Care, Vernon Home Health, and Allegiance Hospice of Leesville. Additionally, special thanks and appreciation to the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Department for their continued support for the Coburn Family in their times of need.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. at Labby Memorial Funeral Home in Leesville with Bro. Wayne Chance officiating. Burial will follow in the Prewitts Chapel Cemetery in Hornbeck, LA. Visitation will be held Saturday, March 29th from 11:00 A.M. until time of service at the funeral home.
Pallbearers are Nicholas Campagna, Christopher Campagna, Carl Chance, Sherwood Chance, Tommy James, William McRae, Raymond Smith and Don Stokes. Honorary pallbearers are Sam Craft, Charles Marze, Keith Lewing, Herbert McDaniel and Calvin Turner.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Venton’s name to Wounded Warriors or a favorite charity.
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