Ron L. Coffman, who delivered winning messages — often with flair — to his advertising and public relations clients, died Friday in Mercy Health St. Anne Hospital. He was 74.

Mr. Coffman of West Toledo had heart and respiratory problems and had developed ventricular tachycardia, Sharon Simmons, his life partner, said.

From the early 1990s on, Mr. Coffman primarily handled advertising and publicity for political candidates — much of that for judges. He also contributed his voice to commercials he’d written, including for Architectural Artifacts.

Whatever the assignment, “he would zero in on one thing,” Ms. Simmons said. “He lived and breathed it until the job was done. Each client has something unique. He brought his excellence to all of them.”

Mr. Coffman had been press relations director at Cedar Point in Sandusky when, in 1973, he joined Flournoy & Gibbs, a Toledo public relations and advertising firm. He later was with the firms Fahlgren & Ferriss Inc. and Widerschein-Strandberg Associates.

“He was a total character — a fun guy, delightful, bright as hell, good writer, but a totally unique personality,” Tom Welly, a former ad agency colleague, said. “When you needed a twist, something a little fresh, different, nontraditional, he was a creative guy and had a good sense of what would work ...

“When the chips were down,” Mr. Welly added, “you could count on him delivering an effective product. I had the greatest respect for him.”

Mr. Coffman, formerly on the board of the Advertising Club of Toledo, also wrote speeches for political clients and wrote autobiographies for business clients.

“Ron was a brilliant writer,” Ms. Simmons said. “People over the years have said he was the best copy writer, the best feature writer.”

He applied his creativity to staging events as well.

At Cedar Point, a honeymoon-bound couple wanted to ride the Blue Streak roller coaster in their finery.

“Ron got it arranged,” Ms. Simmons said. The bride climbed aboard in her wedding dress, the groom in his formal wear.

When in June, 1980, Yuval Zaliouk landed at Toledo Express Airport to start his new job as Toledo Symphony conductor, the orchestra’s musicians were on the tarmac. Mayor Doug DeGood presented Mr. Zaliouk a gold baton, with which the conductor led the ensemble in the “Radetzky March.”

“He could make things happen, all the hoopla and excitement,” Ms. Simmons said.

Mr. Coffman was born Sept. 19, 1941, to Mary Jane and Dwight Coffman in Washington Court House, Ohio.

He was president of his 1959 Washington High School graduating class and attended Miami University.

After stints at newspapers in Circleville and Grove City, Ohio, Mr. Coffman was hired by the Sandusky Register. He received recognition for a series of articles on housing discrimination and became assistant managing editor.

Years later, he became associate editor of the Village Voice of Ottawa Hills, of which Ms. Simmons was editor and publisher. Mr. Coffman wrote sports and business articles and shot photos. 

He also became an umpire for youth and adult baseball and softball teams.

Surviving are his life partner of 36 years, Sharon F. Simmons; son, Montgomery; daughters, Laura Coffman and Tracy Rupp; stepson, James Coffman; stepbrothers, George and the Rev. Thomas Coffman; eight grandchildren, and four step-grandchildren.

Visitation is 4 to 8 p.m. Friday in Walker Funeral Home, Sylvania Township, with a celebration of life at 11 a.m. Saturday. The family suggests tributes to Paws and Whiskers cat shelter.

Contact Mark Zaborney at: mzaborney@theblade.com or 419-724-6182.

First Published July 21, 2016, 4:00 a.m.