Mace Terrell Coleman

He was the husband of the late Mary Wright Coleman for 61 years. Mace was born in Lynchburg, VA on November 22, 1927 to George T. Coleman and Nannie Bell Hogan. The family home was busy with 5 brothers and 2 sisters: Elva Coleman, Glenn Coleman, G.T. Coleman, Winnifred Coleman Moore, Jerome T. White, William Coleman, and Mace T. Coleman.

Five of the Coleman young adults served their country during WWII. Mace fibbed about his age and enlisted in the Marines at the age of 16. He served in the South Pacific Marshall-Gilbert Islands Campaign. His unit also served on Wake Island during the Japanese surrender. Glenn Coleman served in the Army as a Communications Leader for General Patton. G.T. Coleman was stationed in England as a Logistics Officer. Winnifred Coleman was an Army Air Corps Nurse. William Coleman enlisted in the Army and fought on European battlefields, including the Battle of the Bulge. Jerome T. White enlisted in the Merchant Marines, delivering supplies throughout Europe. Jerome did not come home. His ship went down April 9, 1945 in Bari, Italy. Mace, Mary, and Mace Jr. were able to visit the US Military Cemetery, in Italy, where he is interred. Mace was the youngest and last living child of the Coleman’s.

After discharge from the Marines in 1946 Mace returned to Lynchburg and high school. He graduated from EC Glass High School in 1948. During high school he met and dated Mary. Getting her attention by throwing a rock at her. He attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute on the GI Bill. He graduated VPI in 1952 with a degree in Business Administration. Mace was hired by Gold Bond Building Products and took his first sales territory in Rockford, Illinois. He described his first residence as a “sheepherders shack”. Mary and his newborn daughter stayed in Lynchburg until the housing improved. Mace and family lived several years in Virginia before being transferred to Kentucky, California, Buffalo, NY, and finally Charlotte in 1978.

Mace and family enjoyed the San Francisco Bay Area and the West for 11 years. There were trips to the ocean in Monterey, numerous dinners in San Francisco’s Chinatown, and vacations in Lake Tahoe, the Grand Tetons, and Sierra forests. On a weekend trip to Reno, NV, Mace was wearing his cowboy hat and a gentleman approached him asking, “How much are you getting for a head of beef right now?” Along comes the 60’s with two teenagers in the house. Mace takes up dirt bike riding in the nearby hills with Mace Jr. and downhill skiing with his oldest daughter. He took ski lessons in his early 40’s at Squaw Valley, USA. He continued skiing into his 70’s!

In Buffalo, Mace purchased an old farm on 12 acres. He and Mary went to work restoring the home and barn. With a riding ring, pasture, and corral, Mace just needed horses next. He purchased a retired barrel racer. The seller forgot to mention that the horse disliked men and relished the opportunity to buck them off! Evie, his youngest daughter, enjoyed the horse, getting along just fine with her. Mace worked for Gold Bond in Buffalo as the Director of National Accounts and V.P. of Merchandising Operations.

Since 1978 his home has been Charlotte, NC. He worked with Gold Bond Building Products for 38 years. At the time of his retirement he had been the President and CEO for 12 of those years. The National Account Marketing Association elected him Marketing Executive of the Year in 1986. Mace was active in the Charlotte community by serving on the Harris YMCA Board of Directors, Salvation Army Board, and Junior Achievement Board. He was the President of the Mecklenburg Co. Council of Boy Scouts from 82-83. Receiving the Scouting Silver Beaver Award in 1986.

He was very active in the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, serving on their board and receiving the Alumni Distinguished Service Award in 1997. Mace was a Hackin Hokie and could often be seen practicing his golf game at the Quail Hollow Country Club. He was a sought after partner in their golf tournament foursomes.

In the 90’s Mace purchased the fallow Coleman Family farm in Appomattox, VA. He donned a pair of overalls and went to work clearing the property. Crops of corn, soybeans, and alfalfa have been grown. The garage on the farm was the site of several family Thanksgivings.

Mace loved the outdoors and hunting. He hunted the McKinley Range in Alaska, the Yukon Territory, and Vermejo Park in New Mexico. He was recognized by the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep for the “Grand Slam” accomplishment.

Mace is survived by his children, Angie Wulfow of New Mexico; Mace Coleman Jr. and his wife, Suzanne Goll of Maryland; and Evie Coleman of North Carolina. He leaves behind one grandchild, Eddy Lee Coleman.

A celebration of Mace's life will be held at Southminster Retirement Community - Chapel, 8919 Park Rd., Charlotte, NC 28210 on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 11:00 AM.

The family wishes to thank his caregivers at the Southminster Retirement Community, Care Giving Corner, and Aging Optimist. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Keep Tahoe Blue, or the Harris YMCA of Charlotte.

Online condolences may be shared at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com