Doctor Stephen Coleman passed away Saturday, March 11, 2023. He was born in Des Moines, -Iowa December 16, 1948. On Christmas Day, he was placed in the joyous and loving arms of his parents, Dr. Francis C. Coleman and Ruth Ellzey Coleman. This addition to their family was a "dream come true" for seven-year-old sister Nancy. While in Des Moines, the family of four grew into six as son John and daughter Jeanne arrived.
Steve is survived by his wife, Ghlea (Kershner) Coleman; two sons, Todd and Griffin; a daughter, Stephanie Ghlee and one grandson, Rylan. His family absolutely meant the world to him, and he loved them beyond what words can express. With the arrival of spring, his focus & hope was that Ghlea, and he would visit California, Massachusetts, and southern Louisiana to spend precious time with each child and their grandson.
In 1964, Steve's family moved to Tampa, Florida. This was quite a change (and a pleasant one) from the frigid Iowa winters. At the completion of his bachelor's degree, he followed in his father's path of medicine. Steve chose to enter the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology. His career spanned forty-plus years; during this time, he held numerous medical and hospital appointments. In addition to private practice, he especially enjoyed teaching medical students, interns, and residents. He supported numerous professional associations, was medical examiner for a child advocacy center, and the list goes on. In his years of training and practice, he brought nearly 9,000 babies into the world!
Steve was a voracious reader, and it was not uncommon for him to have 2-3 books going simultaneously. He loved animals, found pleasure in cooking along with yard work and gardening. The oak tree in his front yard was grown from an acorn that Steve faithfully nurtured for several years before the move to Minden. That was 15 years ago.
Words cannot express how much Steve will be missed by his family. As his wife often said to him. "When you love someone, there is never enough time."
If you wish to make a memorial donation, the family suggests it be made in his name to: Minden St Jude Auction, Attn: Melissa Brown, P.O. Box 583 Minden, Louisiana 71058. A Celebration of life will be planned for the spring.
