Byers Witherden Coleman

Byers Witherden “den” Coleman, 82, of Decatur, GA passed away peacefully on December 26, 2025, surrounded by his loving family after a hard-fought battle with lung cancer. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, soldier, and friend, Den lived a life defined by service, integrity, and love of family.

Born June 11, 1943, in Brooklyn, NY, Den was the son of the late LTC Byers H. and Elizabeth W. Coleman. Raised in a proud military family, he embodied the values of integrity and honor from an early age and was a lifelong Episcopalian. A graduate of Kubasaki American High School in Okinawa, Den went on to earn his BA in Political Science from Penn State University. At PSU, Den was an active member of Acacia Fraternity and the official photographer for The Collegiate. While at Penn State, he met the love of his life, Sally Mollenauer. The two married and shared 59 wonderful years together. He later earned his MSA in Management Engineering from George Washington University.

A distinguished combat veteran, Den retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 23 years of active duty in the U.S. Army. His career included two tours in Vietnam with the 9th Infantry Division, Long Thang, RVN and the 4th Transportation Command, Vung Tau, RVN earning Airborne Wings, a Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and the Bronze Star. Upon retiring from HQ Forces Command, Fort McPherson, GA, in 1989, Den continued his lifelong commitment to service through leadership roles with the American Red Cross, Mayzo Chemical, and the Serco Group as a Logistics Capability Planner. He also served as Chief of Staff for the Georgia State Defense Force, lending his expertise and steadfast guidance to the organization.

Den’s sense of duty extended beyond his career. He was active in numerous organizations including: The Buckhead 50 Club, The Old Guard of the Gate City Guard of Atlanta, American Legion Posts 140 (Buckhead) and 82 (Ellijay), and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA 1211 – Blairsville).

Intelligent and thoughtful, Den was known for his dry sense of humor, his service to others, and his abiding belief that “actions speak louder than words.” His hobbies reflected his curiosity and his creativity - fine woodworking, travel, enjoying art and music with Sally, cooking, building his Zenith Zodiac 650 airplane, and the PSU Nittany Lions. Den could always be found working out a challenging build on a napkin, enjoying a gin and tonic with a grin and a quick quip. In addition to his hobbies, he had an abiding love of animals, rescuing many, and he enjoyed his lap cat, Orion, in later years.

Above all, Den cherished his time with his family, especially his beloved wife Sally. He is survived by Sally and their daughters, Dr. Lela C. Magee (LTC, USA Ret.) and husband COL L. Wayne Magee, Jr. (USA Ret.), and Elizabeth C. Brannon and husband Rodney G. Brannon, and grandchildren Major L. Wayne Magee, III (USAF) and wife Major Laura Derouin (USMC) and Captain Michael W. Magee (USAF) and twins Walker P. Brannon & Emma C. Brannon.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 25, 2026, from 2 to 4 p.m. at H.M. Patterson & Son – Oglethorpe Hill Funeral Home, 4550 Peachtree Road NE, Brookhaven, GA. A funeral service will follow on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 10 a.m. at The Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta, GA, officiated by The Rev. Ashley Carr. Den will be laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.

Den Coleman leaves behind a legacy of steadfast service, quiet strength, and enduring love—a life lived with duty, honor, and service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider donations in his name to The Gary Sinise Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to support America’s defenders, veterans, first responders and their families.

Inquiries may be directed to Elizabeth Brannon at [email protected]