Patricia Rocha Coleman

Patty grew up in San Antonio, Texas, where she attended St. James The Apostle Catholic Elementary School and graduated from Burbank High School. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA).

She began her professional career as a civil servant with the U.S. Air Force at the San Antonio Air Logistics Center located at Kelly Air Force Base. She provided outstanding logistics support as an Item Manager for the Air Force high priority F100 Engine Program. The F100 powered the top-tier fleet of critical F-15 and F-16 fighter aircraft. It was there that she met her husband, Rick Coleman, then an Air Force Captain and the engineer supporting the systems she managed. Their professional collaboration blossomed into a loving partnership, and they were married on February 18, 1989.

The couple spent the first year of their marriage in France while Rick attended the French Test Pilot School. Upon returning to the United States, they were assigned to Edwards Air Force Base in California, where Patty worked as a substitute teacher. After four years, they returned to San Antonio, where Rick completed his Air Force career. The couple made San Antonio their permanent home.

Patty continued her service as an Air Force civil servant again working on life-extension and modernization upgrades of the F100 Engine Fleet until the closure of Kelly Air Force Base in 2001. In later years, she dedicated much of her time to volunteering with San Antonio Pets Alive (SAPA), where her deep love for animals—especially cats—shone brightly. She worked tirelessly to improve the lives of homeless pets in the San Antonio community. Patty also devoted herself to caring for her aging parents, providing them with loving support in their later years.

She cherished traveling with her husband Rick. Among her favorite locations were San Diego CA, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast in Italy, San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, and any sunny beach with clear blue water and plenty of sun. Spending time with her special SAPA friends and reuniting with her beloved “Burbank HS Girls” for laughter and cherished memories were also among the special joys of her life. Patty’s warm spirit, wonderfully crazy sense of humor, dedication to family, and compassion for animals touched everyone who knew her.

Patty was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her devoted husband of 37 years, Rick Coleman, and her brother, Jesse Rocha.

A celebration of life will be held at Northwest Hills Global Methodist Church on Monday, May 11, at 12:00 p.m. A Graveside service will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 1:45 p.m.