Eugene W. Coles Jr.

Eugene William Coles Jr., son of the late Eugene W. Coles Sr. and Maude Arlene (Herron) Coles, was born on February 19, 1943, in Indianapolis, IN.

He attended the Indianapolis Public School System – School #63, #26 and Crispus Attucks High School. He completed Army Basic Training with 182nd Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky in 1968. Eugene had been employed at American Crisco for a short period before moving on to Lowes Theater and Thompson Chain, each for 3 years. He was eventually hired at Bryant Heating and Cooling/United Carrier where he worked for 38 years before retiring in 2004.

His Faith

Eugene professed his faith in Jesus Christ, The True and Living God. He joined Breeding Tabernacle CME Church in Indianapolis, IN on November 22nd, 1982, where he remained a faithful member for over 44 years. Eugene loved to talk about the Word of God to whomever he was talking to. He would strike up a conversation with you and would talk for hours about our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ.

His Family

Eugene was united in holy matrimony to Betty J. Phillips in 1964. This union was blessed with four children. Betty J. Coles proceeded him in death. Eugene was later united in holy matrimony to Velma M. Graham on February 18, 1995. This union blessed him with five bonus children. Eugene was a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He was affectionately known to his family as “Daddy, Pops, Junie, Brother, Uncle Junie, and Granddad”. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, grilling, cooking and creating his own spices rubs and barbeque sauce. He was the chef of the family and excellent at it. He embodied love, courage, wisdom, strength, integrity, kindness, compassion, and faithfulness. His life was rooted in the Word of God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He loved, encouraged and supported his family while teaching them valuable lessons to help them develop and grow in life. Let us remember the example he set for us. Let us strive to live our life with purpose, reflecting God’s love in all we do.

His Legacy

He was preceded in death by his father, mother, five brothers: Anthony T. Coles, Michael Earl Coles, Anthony Tyrone Coles, Larry Joseph Coles and Mark Stevenson Coles (Angelo) and two sisters: Elizabeth Ann (Coles) Williams and Min. Linda Carol (Coles) Sweatt and granddaughter Olivia Renee Seaton. Eugene departed this life on May 12, 2026, at the age of 83.

His life will forever be cherished by his wife Velma M. Coles,

Daughters: Darlene Y. Seaton (Quincy), Carolyn M. Coles, Robynn Phillips (Aaron), Melissa Mays, and Kathryn Graham

Sons: Gerald R. Coles (Cheryl), William E. Coles, Bernard Hall Jr, and Matthew Mays Sr.

Grandchildren: Cory Lee Coles Sr. (Tiffany), Stepheon M. Coles Sr (Tiffany), Keisha Coles, Tequita S. Coles “Chiquita”, Jasmine M. Coles, Judah C. Coles, Wilyim X. Coles, Jada Coe, Makayla Phillips, Camrynn Phillips, Christopher Green, Jordyn Harris, Matthew Mays Jr, Raul Mays, Tai Mays, and Khristian Roberts

Great-grandchildren: Symone, Caleah, Amora, Chrishonna, Stepheon Jr., Layla, Makenzie, Keilyn “Kiwi”, Kailyn, Cory Lee Jr., Lamuiar, Zechariah, Alayna, Sage, and Izaiah

Brother: Kevin Jerome Coles

Sisters: Marcella L. (Coles) Orr (Antonio), and Lisa M. Coles

Best Friends: Paul Whitley Sr. and Ronald “Pierre” McCombs

A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends

Visitation will be held at Crown Hill Funeral Home, 700 West 38th Street on May 23, 2026, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.

A Celebration of Life service is to follow beginning at 12pm with livestream available at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c2605328150578.