Allen David Coleman Jr.

Allen David Coleman Jr was born Oct 22, 1930 in Dinuba. He attended Navelencia Elementary School, Reedley High School, Reedley College and Fresno State. He worked on the Coleman ranch helping his parents with dryland farming and raising livestock. He died unexpectedly on Aug 9, 2021, almost 91 years old.

In the summer of 1948, he started working in heavy equipment construction, which he loved. In Oct,1950, he joined the US Navy Construction Battalion known as the Seabees. He was sent to Korea with the US Marines and made many amphibious assault landings in sub-freezing weather. His battalion then moved inland and built landing strips for the air force on both coasts while under assault.

While in high school, this Reedley boy met Marjorie Dixon, a Fresno girl, through her brothers. While on a brief leave before being shipped to Korea, he convinced her to marry him. They eloped to Reno, were married for 60 years, built a ranch life with three children and travelled the world.

Allen was honorably discharged in Aug,1954 and returned to the heavy equipment construction industry. He became a general engineering contractor in 1976 and started his Allen Coleman Paving Company, which became very successful.

Allen was passionate and forceful about everything he did. After they made Allen, they broke the mold. His strength of will was unparalleled. The word ‘no’ or ‘can't’ were not words he understood. If you were in the same room with him, you knew he was there.

Allen was deeply involved in AA for over 50 years and was instrumental in helping many people in recovery.

The success of his company provided the opportunity to travel and pursue other interests. He started skiing as a high school ski club chaperone with his wife and children. He ultimately traveled all over the USA successfully competing in Nastar ski races. He began deep-sea fishing and successfully competed in many derbies on the coast.

Allen grew up hunting and in high school, ran a trap line to make extra money selling the furs. His passion for hunting continued throughout his life. He turned 90 in 2020 and killed a mule deer, a white-tailed deer and an elk the month of his 90th birthday. He had 5 hunting trips arranged this year to Idaho, Oregon, Montana, California and Wyoming. As a younger man, he competed in bull riding at the Cow Palace, winning Levi’s as the prize.

He started shotgun shooting in 1992, competing locally. He continued to shoot and ultimately made it on the competition shooting Team USA and the All-American Shooting Team several years in a row. He competed in several disciplines and several gauges. He competed in and won many national and international competitions. He competed until he was 85 and shot almost 10,000 targets that year, once again making the All-American team in the Senior SuperVet class.

Allen is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Marjorie, and his son, Allen David Coleman, III. He is survived by his daughter, Lynette Statham (Dennis) and his son, Mark Coleman (Kathleen), and his sister, Barbara Reed. He has four grandchildren- Hunter and Tanner Statham and Bryant (Cassie) and Allison Coleman, and many nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed by most that knew him.

Visitation will be at the Whitehurst Sullivan Funeral home on Friday, Aug 13, 3-7pm. There will be a Celebration of Life September 4, 2021 at the Coleman Ranch and Graveside Service will be announced at a later date.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitehurstsullivan.com for the Coleman Jr. family.