Wayne Coleman

Wayne was born on 21 May 1948 in Washington D.C. He attended Bryan Elementary and Hine Junior High School. He graduated from McKinley High School in 1966. While in high school, Wayne was a member of the National Honor Society, the Science Research and Development Club, the International Relations Club, and the Jr. ROTC Cadet Corps. In 1965, Wayne was selected, as one of three high school seniors, to represent McKinley High School on the television show, "It's Academic."

In the summers after high school graduation, Wayne worked for the IBM Card Punching Division and the Geological Survey Department of Interior. While attending Howard University from 1966-1970, Wayne was a member of the Army ROTC program. In 1970, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Regular Army. He served a one-year assignment as a Weapons Platoon Leader with the 82nd Airborne Division. Upon completion of this assignment, Wayne was assigned to the Military Intelligence Branch in the specialty of Counterintelligence. He served overseas assignments in Vietnam and Germany. On 29 March 1980, Captain Wayne Coleman married Army Captain Katherine Rolfes at Ft. Ord, California.

Wayne served in the Army for 20 years, retiring in 1990. His military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal.

Wayne's hobbies included reading and walking. His interests included classic movies and history. He was a parishioner of the Nativity Catholic Church in Burke. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nathaniel Mark (Mark) and Mary Matilda (Tillie) Coleman.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Katherine; son, Matthew (Jennifer) Coleman of Springfield; daughter, Genevieve (Paul) Coleman of Centreville; and granddaughter Evelyn Marlene.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in support of Alzheimer's disease research.

The Visitation/Wake will be held on Friday, January 10 from 5:00 pm - 8:00 p.m. at Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Rd, Springfield VA 22151.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 11 at 1:00 pm at Nativity Catholic Church, 6400 Nativity Ln, Burke, VA 22015. Wayne's cousin, Bishop Roy Campbell will officiate. Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.