D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 2 1
18
JOHN COFER DID A LOT OF THINGS BEFORE HE CAME TO MON-
TANA. He'd been known to fashion the odd ceramic pot, is good
with woodworking. He was a pretty fair hand as a firefighter and a
fine practitioner of the Sweet Science as a UFC fighter!
Originally a Southern boy hailing from Georgia and Tennes-
see, John first came to Montana to help construct the famous
Yellowstone Film Ranch, but just like all of us and probably you
too, he fell in love with Montana. And then, unexpectedly, he fell
in love with making hats. He was good with his hands, creative,
and hardworking. Before long, he'd started Cofer Hat Company.
"I don't even really like calling it work. I feel really blessed to
enjoy what I do."
Cofer has always loved the history, look, and lore of cowboy
hats. He found himself in a small airstream trailer in Montana,
sitting at a workbench, staring at the hat block on its surface. Then
he taught himself to make hats. First, just for himself and his close
friends, but then he started getting compliments on them. Now
he's turned his hobby into a thriving business, though he doesn't
do it alone.
Y E L L O W S T O N E B R O K E R S
P r e s e n t s
by JOE SHELTON • photos by NATALIE TAXIERA
F R O M
U F C F I G H T E R
T O M O N TA N A
H AT T E R
F R O M
U F C F I G H T E R
T O M O N TA N A
H AT T E R
"If anyone is in search
of a new property,
"If anyone is in search
of a new property,
YOU'D BE
DOING YOURSELF A GREAT DISSERVICE
IF YOU DIDN'T CHOOSE TO WORK WITH
YELLOWSTONE BROKERS."
