Coughlin, James Joseph

James Joseph Coughlin, Jay, Uncle Jay, Jay Bird or simply Bird, was born March 31, 1953 and died unexpectedly January 7th, 2023, after a brief illness.

A brother, uncle, friend to the masses, painter and highly skilled in the art of joke telling he will be remembered as an all around good guy with a kind soul and a generous heart. Jay was a nonconformist who led a simple but full life with a unique “take” on the world. This could have been the result of being the lone brother to 7 sisters. He was also proud of his Irish heritage and represented the culture well in the area of obstinacy.

He was predeceased by his parents William Hill and Kathryn Haley Coughlin, infant brother William Hill Coughlin, Jr, sisters Anne Gill Coughlin and Margaret Coughlin Johnson.

He is survived by five sisters Mary Grady (Fred), Carolina Beach, N.C., Elizabeth Daniels (Walter), Lynchburg, VA, Kay Starke (Jay), Judith Coughlin (Steve) both of Richmond, VA and Alice Coughlin of Blacksburg, VA, 11 nieces and nephews who all adored their Uncle Jay: William, Jason and Samantha Grady, Alex, Sean and Andrew Daniels, Kathryn, Elizabeth and Laura Starke and Michael and Joseph Flanigan. He is also survived by 8 great nieces and nephews Dylan, Arlo, Abby, Grace, Luke, Charlotte, John and James.

Jay will be sorely missed by his family, friends, Winston and Budweiser.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 14th from 1pm-3pm.
A funeral Mass will be held on Sunday, January 15th at 1pm.

Both the visitation and funeral will be held at:
St. Jude Catholic Church
1740 Tyler Road
Christiansburg, VA 24073

A reception will be held following the funeral.

Interment will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers Jay would like for donations to be made to the Radford Animal Shelter.

The Coughlin family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford.