Thomas R. Coss

20-year Army veteran served in Korea, Vietnam

Thomas R. Coss, 76, of New Freeport, died at 10:28 a.m. Tuesday, October 2, 2007, in Southwest Regional Medical Center, Waynesburg, after being in failing health for the past four years and seriously ill for the past 10 days.

He was born December 30, 1930, in New Freeport, a son of Mack Coss Sr. and Alice Myrtle King.

Mr. Coss attended Waynesburg High School and was a graduate of Beaver County Community College with a certification in auto mechanics.

He was a 20-year veteran of U.S. Army, where he served as E7 (SFC) during the Korean and Vietnam wars, retiring in 1968. He received a Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantry Badge 2D Award, Good Conduct Medal with bronze clasp five loops, Vietnam Service Medal with two overseas bars and a National Defense Service Medal with an oak leaf cluster.

Mr. Coss was a member of American Legion Post 330 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4793, both of Waynesburg.

He owned and operated Coss Transmissions in Monaca from 1972 until 1976. He formerly was employed as a heavy equipment mechanic from 1984 until 1992 with Daniels Equipment Co. of Maryland and American Equipment Co. of South Carolina and was last employed as a township supervisor in Freeport until retiring, due to ill health in 2003.

He enjoyed reading, playing computer games and farming as long as his health permitted.

On November 10, 1952, he married Helen Cain, who survives.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are two sons, Thomas R. Coss Jr., husband of Mary Coss, and Joseph L., husband of Kathy Coss; two daughters, Tammy K. Coss and Patty A. Ashcraft, all of New Freeport; a brother, Mack Coss Jr., husband of Phyllis Coss of Newton Falls, Ohio; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Deceased are a grandchild, who died in infancy; two brothers, James and Ralph E. Coss; and three sisters, Pearl Ruggles, Eva Mae (Shirley) Schlabs and Betty Leek.

Friends will be received from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in Rush Funeral Home Inc., Rogersville. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, October 4, with Pastor Samuel Z. Crawford officiating in Coss Family Cemetery, Freeport Township, Greene County. Graveside military rites will be accorded by representatives of the U.S. Army, American Legion Post 330, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4793 and Disabled American Veterans Post 132, all of Waynesburg.

Thomas R Coss