Earl was born to Grace Amelia Baird Kofoed and Clarence Henry Kofoed on March 21, 1923 in Weston, Idaho. He grew up with five brothers and four sisters. Another sister had died as an infant before Earl was born. Earl's mother died when he was 13 years old, in 1936. He graduated from Preston High School. Earl served in the U.S. Navy in WWII. After the war, Earl attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts. Earl graduated from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah with a Master's Degree in Fine Arts. Earl's father died in 1951. Earl moved to San Francisco after graduation. Earl was the Education Officer for the 6th Army at the Presidio for 26 years. He lived in a home that he built himself in San Rafael, Marin County, California. It sat on a wooded hillside, where he lived with his dogs, cat, one aviary full of beautiful birds, including Australian finches, and another aviary that included fantail pigeons, and doves. He had a wandering chicken and a greenhouse full of orchids. Earl always had great friends, who miss him. He was beloved by his neighbors. He enjoyed lapidary and making jewelry from Idaho/Montana opals. Earl was an active member of The Toastmasters Club, The Marin Mineral society, The American Legion, and was a licensed hypnotherapist. He volunteered helping AIDS patients for many years. Earl had a Melanoma Skin Cancer removed in 1994. Earl died at home of metastatic Melanoma Cancer on Veteran's Day, November 11, 2000, surrounded by family. Earl was cremated at his request and his ashes were placed in San Rafael and also the Weston City Cemetery. There is a memorial plaque for Earl at the graveside of Earl's parents in Weston City Cemetery in Idaho.