Jeffrey David Klein, of Auburn, passed away on Wednesday, April 13 at UAB hospital after suffering a series of mini-strokes early the previous morning; preceded by a stage IV cancer diagnosis just the week before at Piedmont Regional Hospital in Columbus, Georgia. Jeff was born on Sept. 27, 1979, in Atlanta.
A believer and follower of Christ at an early age, Jeff was a devoted, godly husband to his wife Adrienne and father to their three boys.
His love of coaching was inspired by his first love … football. After a very successful high school football career, serving as Chattahoochee High School’s starting varsity quarterback all four years, Jeff fielded many scholarship offers to play college football. He was prayerfully led to Auburn in 1998, where he was granted a full scholarship to play quarterback, second to Auburn’s starting quarterback, Ben Leard. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Auburn University in 2001, Jeff went on to play starting quarterback for the 2002 season at The Citadel.
Jeff was employed with Lee County Schools since 2017 and taught TV Production at Loachapoka High School. He also took great pride in serving as an offensive coordinator and quarterback coach for the LHS football team. Jeff was also a dedicated head coach for the varsity baseball team during his time at Loachapoka High School. His love for coaching began in his hometown of Alpharetta, Georgia, where he worked with quarterbacks at Alpharetta High School. His coaching career also led him to serve on the football coaching staff at Chamblee High School, Peachtree Ridge High School and Lakeside High School.
He is survived by his wife Adrienne Coley Klein and their three sons Cannon (5), Coley (4) and Clayton (11 mos.) of Auburn; parents JD and Diana Klein of Atlanta; brother Chris Klein and wife Danielle and their children Evan, Brennan, Aidan and Coltan of Phoenix, Arizona; sister Brittany McDonald and husband Joe and their children Sarah, Coleman, Michael and Gillian of Atlanta.
Visitation will be from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. CST, Friday, April, 22, 2022, at Lakeview Baptist Church, with the funeral service beginning at 2:30 p.m. with Reverends Rodney Minor, Cliff Knight, Chette Williams, Melvin Williams officiating. Burial will follow at Town Creek Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider donating to The Hudson Family Foundation, which supports children and families in need:
www.hudsonfamilyfoundation.com
300 N. Dean Road
Auburn, AL 36830.
Please note that your donation is in memory of Jeff.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home is directing.