The Phelps County Senior Companion Program is proud to recognize Leon Coffman of Rolla, Missouri, as the Senior Companion of the Month for March 2026. Coffman has been a devoted volunteer since March 2022 and is admired for the kindness, enthusiasm, and genuine care he brings to every client he serves.

 “My clients are more like family than clients,” he shared.

Coffman was born in Rolla, Missouri, but grew up in a foster home in Salem, Missouri alongside his biological siblings and several other foster children. His introduction to the workforce began early, thanks to his foster father, who helped him secure a job at Ponderosa Steak House.

“I was so small that I had to stand on a milk crate to wash the dishes,” he recalls. As he grew older, he became known for his spirit of adventure. He fondly remembers testing how far he could drive a truck through the Current River.

“If you put a pipe on the intake and exhaust, it could go through the water,” he said. 

Raised in a faith-filled home by Godly parents and guided by a devoted pastor, he credits his upbringing for shaping his values and work ethic.

“My philosophy is simple: put your best into whatever you do, and you will never have regrets. Helping others—doing what someone else cannot do—is a way to brighten someone’s day,” he explained.

This philosophy is also what makes Coffman an exceptional Senior Companion.

“It can make a client happy; you can make them have a good day,” he said. “I don’t look at it like a job—it is an adventure. As long as they have had a good day, I have done my job. I want to make sure they know that someone is there for them.”

Beyond his work with the Senior Companion Program, Coffman is actively involved with the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and other charitable organizations, further demonstrating his lifelong commitment to serving those in need.

As Senior Companion of the Month, he received a floral arrangement donated by Blossom Basket Florist and a $10 gift card from Sinks Pharmacy. The Senior Companion Program is sponsored by the Phelps County Commission, funded by AmeriCorps Corporation for National and Community Service and supported by several local groups and individuals. Senior Companions help their peers maintain the independence they have worked for all their lives. For more information call 573-458-6180.