Remembering Steve Cofoid
Cofoid was coach, assistant principal, and athletic director at Hononegah.
Anyone who knew Steve Cofoid remember him as a gentle, kind and humble man. He wore many hats. Foremost, he was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. He was also a coach, assistant principal and athletic director at North Boone High School and at his alma mater, Hononegah High Community High School.
Steve passed away April 2, 2025. He lost a relatively short battle with frontotemporal dementia. Close friends Rich and Mary Lewis said he didn’t have to suffer long. He was 60 years old.
Hononegah Community High School was home to Steve. “He knew everything about athletics,” according to friend and former Hononegah football defensive coordinator Tom Polaski. “Steve was a star athlete in baseball, track and football. He loved sports. Under his leadership, Hononegah won NIC-10 All-Sports Trophy for 13 years.”
Polaski said Steve’s favorite sport was baseball. He played baseball at Rock Valley College and at Aurora University. “He was a tremendous, all-around athlete. He had field awareness and knew how to read the quarterback,” adding “Steve knew everything about athletics at Hononegah.”
Hononegah School Board President Dave Kurlinkus said, “Steve was a good student and a tremendous all-around athlete. He was the recipient of the George Kelsey Award in 1983.”
Steve went on to teach and coach at North Boone High School. Steve was athletic director at North Boone for seven years before coming back to his alma mater, Hononegah, as an assistant principal and in 2014, athletic director. “Steve really liked working with other coaches and kids,” Polaski said. “He always wanted to be an athletic director after playing for Coach Larry Weber.”
As much as Steve loved athletics, he loved his family even more. Steve and his wife, Terri were married for 33 years. They raised two children, Kirsten and Adam and were proud grandparents of Sutton and Bennett.
Rich and Mary Lewis and the Cofoids spent a lot of time together. Mary and Steve were in the same class at Hononegah. Rich and Steve played baseball together.
Mary is presently a member of the Hononegah school board.
“The board thought Steve did a great job as an assistant principal,” said Mary. “Steve will be missed. He was a wonderful, caring man. He was humble and kind. He always found the good in everyone.”
Mary says, “His parents both had dementia. Steve knew it was coming on.”
The two couples vacationed in Hawaii in January 2025. “We have wonderful memories of being together sightseeing and whale watching.”
