Mr. Coleman joined the United States Army in 1953 and served one tour in Korea and two tours in Vietnam. He retired after twenty-one years of service with the rank of First Sergeant in 1973. He earned his Master of Science Degree in Curriculum Planning and Supervision at the Corpus Christi State University.
He taught Automotive Technology Education (Auto Mechanics) at the West Oso Independent School District and Del Mar College. During his twenty-three years at West Oso, he joined the Texas State Guard as an Army Captain. He later was promoted to Major and assigned the duty of Battalion Commander of the 301st Military Police Battalion at the Armory in Corpus Christi, Texas. Upon his retirement from West Oso I.S.D. in 1989, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the Texas State Guard.
After a year of retirement, he signed up to be a substitute teacher at Corpus Christi I.S.D. in the elementary and middle schools for two years. He later received the Presidential Honor Award from the NAACP in 2004.
Mr. Coleman loved hunting and fishing with his son, Earl Jr. He also fished with his good friends, David Lopez and Mike Pompa. He was a beloved man of God and a respected man in the community.
He was preceded in death by his parents PomeRoy Sr. and Janie Coleman; his son, Earl James Coleman Jr.; five brothers—Lewis Leroy, PomeRoy, Jr., Raymond, Chancy (C. W.), and John Coleman; eight sisters—Evelyn, Nell, Mary Eliza, Louvenia, Janie, Sally B. Coleman, Sally B. McGrue, and Thelma.
He is survived by his loving wife, Rosa Maria T. Coleman of twenty-four years; his children— James, Cynthia, Suzanne (Mike), Jeremy, Veronica (Larry), Michelle, John (Criselda), and Mark (Monica); his daughter-in-law, Dolores; his grandchildren—Tondelynn, Desmond (Amanda), Victoria (Joshua), Alexis (Tommy), Leslie, Zachery, Douglas, John Anthony Jr., and Beatrice; his great grandchildren— LaDarin, Rebeca, Julius, Alistair, and Lina Rose; his sister, Penny; Aunts: Mrs. Maria Stimus, Mrs. Ceil Frazar, Mrs. Connie Leetsch; Nieces and nephews; and his dear friends— Wilchie Crump, Luis Ridgel, David Lopez, Mike Pompa, Mike Oscheski, and Charles; and all family loved ones.
Visitation will be held on Monday, October 28, 2019 at Memory Gardens Funeral Home Chapel from 5:00-9:00 PM with Holy Rosary recited at 7:00 PM. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Phillips Catholic Church on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Acknowledgements
The Coleman Family would like to thank, Dr. Srikanth Damaraju; Dr. Jifi; Dialysis Access Center; Fresenius Kidney Care; Dr. Norudden; Dr. Dixon; Corpus Christi Ambulance Company; Bay Area Emergency Care; the Veterans Affairs (V.A.); the Texas State Guard; the Veterans of Foreign Wars (V.F.W.); Patty Mendez; David and Belinda Trevino; Henry Richard Trevino Jr.; Annetta Rodriguez; St. John Baptist Church; St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church; Deacon Ortiz; West Oso I.S.D.; Corpus Christi Christian Fellowship; and all who have loved and supported the Coleman Family.
Pallbearers:
Henry Richard Trevino Jr.
David Lopez
Jeremy Lane Coleman
John Anthony Nieto
Mark Anthony Nieto
Marcos Rodriguez
Honorary Pallbearers:
Desmond Coleman
Zachery Paul Escobedo
Douglas Thomas Escobedo
LaDarin Beasley
Pete Soliz
