Jim Coil, 73, died peacefully on Saturday, December 29, after a valiant struggle with cancer. The son of Ruth Diehl Coil and James H. Coil, Jr., Jim was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama. He attended University Military School, graduating as valedictorian of his class. Jim accepted a football scholarship to Duke University, where he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Kappa. After graduating from Harvard Law School, Jim accepted a position with Kilpatrick & Cody (now Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP) and then turned to fulfill his commitment to the United States Marine Corps. Captain Coil began his service in the JAG Corps, and was later assigned as aide-de-camp to General Herman Poggemeyer, Jr. at Camp Pendleton, California. Jim considered it one of the great honors of his life to have served in the Marine Corps and to have assisted General Poggemeyer as the liaison to the Western White House during the Nixon administration.

After serving in the Marines, Jim returned to Atlanta and rejoined the firm that he loved and where he practiced law for almost forty-five years. Jim relished the intellectual challenge of employment litigation and cherished the friends he made during his many years at Kilpatrick & Cody, especially Terri, his wife of thirty-two years. Jim married Terri Reinking, the daughter of Calvin and Jean Reinking, on January 3, 1987, in the living room of their Ansley Park home, where they went on to raise their two sons, Jake and Sam. For the last ten years, Jim spent his free time at Lake Keowee, SC, where he had a home and made many enduring friendships. 

Jim loved his family, his friends, and his dog Maggie. He was a member of the Ansley Golf Club, a patron of the Atlanta Opera and served on the board of directors of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Jim had a strong faith and loved his church. He was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, where he served in many capacities including as a church Elder, Sunday school teacher, and Chair of the Personnel Committee.

Jim is survived by his wife, Terri, his sons, Jake of Brooklyn, NY and Sam (Gaia) of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and his twin brother, Bob of Winston-Salem, NC. He is predeceased by his parents, Jim and Ruth Coil. 

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 5 at 3:00 P.M. at the First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, which is located at 1328 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 with Dr. Tony Sundermeier officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, or the Oconee Humane Society of Seneca, SC. 

Condolences may be expressed online by visiting www.sandiferfuneralhome.com.