Dr. Coggin served as associate dean for basic medical sciences at the USA College of Medicine from 1989 to 1994. He was professor of pathology from 1983 to 2006 and professor and chair of microbiology and immunology from 1977 to 2006.
During his tenure at USA, Dr. Coggin was a leader in developing the graduate program in basic medical sciences, the first doctoral level program within the university. He also fostered a significant funding campaign that supported the initial building of the molecular biology core laboratory facility on USA’s campus.
Dr. Coggin pioneered the field of oncofetal antigens as a marker for early development and cancer biology. He received significant extramural support from the National Cancer Institute and a number of patents have been awarded to him and his research team.
A long time resident of Mobile, Ala., he was predeceased by his parents, Joseph H. Coggin Sr. and Frieda Nolde Coggin and wife, Mary Jane Coggin. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Scroggs Coggin of Mobile, Ala.; brother, Thomas Nolde Coggin (Cinda) of Charlotte, N.C.; children, Cynthia Segers (Larry) of Dothan, Ala.; Christopher L. Coggin of Gulf Shores, Ala.; Kurt M. Coggin (Judy) of Mobile, Ala.; and Melissa Howell (Tim) of Mobile, Ala.; his grandchildren, Nicholas and Katie Segers of Dothan, Ala.; Pierce, Charles and William Coggin of Mobile, Ala.; and Kris Kenzi Coggin of Gulf Shores, Ala.; and devoted friend, Joyful Dunn.
Funeral services took place Aug. 23, 2011, at Pine Rest Cemetery in Foley, Ala.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the following churches: Ashland Place United Methodist Church, 15 Wisteria Avenue, Mobile, AL 36607 and St. Jude’s Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 1263, Gulf Shores, AL 36547.
