Obituaries

Eric Stephen Coomer, affectionately known as “Pugsley,” was born on April 2, 1979 and passed away on January 6, 2026.

Eric will be remembered for his deep love of sports, his enthusiasm for all things horror, his enjoyment of video games, his vast collection of random trivia and knowledge plus his unmistakable sense of humor. Whether he was watching a big game, settling in to enjoy a classic horror film, spending hours playing video games online with his friends or sharing an unexpected fact at just the right moment, Eric found joy in connection, curiosity, competition and camaraderie. Known for his playful internet trolling and quick wit, he had a way of making people laugh and keeping things entertaining, even from behind a screen. His interests, knowledge and his humor often brought people together, sparking conversations, laughter and shared memories.

Beyond his hobbies, Eric was known for his loyalty to his people and his unwavering devotion to those he loved. He was family-oriented, true to himself and someone you could always count on. His presence will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving him.

Eric is survived by his mother, Monica Coomer (née Ollberding); his brothers, Robert Coomer, Matthew (Theresa) Coomer, David Ollberding and Justin Coomer; his sister, Ramona (Thomas) Richter; his aunts Gail (Rick) Hurrelbrink, Joyce (Gary) Morford and Diane (John) Ollberding; his uncles, Mike (Nancy) Ollberding, Dan (Debbie) Ollberding, Dave Ollberding, Paul (Shelli) Ollberding and Jim (Dee) Ollberding; his beloved nieces, great niece and numerous cousins. He is also survived by his adopted family, John Paul, Jamie, Will, Lacie, Lil John and Eli Ollberding. He is preceded in death by his father, Robert “Bob” Coomer, his brother, John Coomer, his uncles John (Diane) Ollberding and Gary “Rebo” Ollberding.

A celebration of Eric’s life will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Dayton Event Center, previously known as the Dayton Eagles, located at 634 5th Ave., Dayton, KY 41074.

Though he is gone, Eric’s spirit lives on in the memories shared, the lessons he taught, the laughter he sparked, the games played and the movies that will forever remind us of him.

“Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.”