Obituary: Coyle, Thomas Alton
Al was born September 6th, 1923 in Gaffney, South Carolina.
He taught himself to play piano as a young man and entertained friends and family right up to his final days.
After high school he worked at the Naval Shipyards in Charleston, SC.
There in 1942 Al joined the Army Air Corps and served in the South Pacific during World War II and Korean War.
He met his wife, Elma Fisher in Greensboro, North Carolina.
He was a Tech Sergeant in the Army Air Corps at the time and Elma was a Captain in the Army.
In those days, regulations prohibited officers and enlisted men from fraternizing so Elma resigned her commission and they married in 1944.
Al served in China and returned to Fort Wright in Spokane where their two sons were born; later transferring to Fairchild Air Force Base.
In the Early 1950’s Al and family transferred to Clark AFB, Philippine Islands where he received his commission as second lieutenant.
In 1954 the family moved to Eglin AFB Florida, then Fairbanks Alaska, Andrews AFB Washington DC and finally Warner Robbins AFB in Georgia.
Through hard work, education and dedication ‘Al’ retired as a Major USAF in 1964.
Al started his own business in Gaffney, S.C. called Music City.
Al and Elma moved to Spokane in 1972 and Al became a part owner of Spokane’s Music City.
Alton and Elma built their home in 1974 where they have resided since.
In 1996 Al and Elma founded The Coyle Memorial Scholarship Fund to help those less fortunate attend College.
Elma and Al loved to garden and their beautiful yard was often in Spokane’s “Garden Walk” in late June.
Actually they won First Prize in 2000!
Alton is survived by his wife, Elma of over 70 years, their two sons Ron (Sue) of Spokane and Kenton of South Carolina, three grandchildren Christopher Coyle and Sonja Akers (Dean) of South Carolina, “Raco” Coyle (Maria) of Dixon, Illinois and finally two great- granddaughters Katherine and Clara Akers.
Al was always fun-loving, generous and kind.
You couldn’t ask for a more loyal friend, wonderful husband and his sons will attest ~ “He was the best father and ‘mentored’ many young men and women throughout his entire lifetime!”
Alton Coyle has left this world a better place for his generous and positive spirit.
A Memorial for Alton with full military honors will be announced later next month.