born in Waxahachie, Texas on May 8, 1931 and was the son of WD Coleman, Sr and Clara Archer Coleman. He moved to Victoria, Texas in 1936, when his father accepted a management position with Zarsky Lumber Company. Dan attended Brownson, Juan Linn, Mitchell, and graduated from Patti Welder High School in 1949. In his youth, he swept up at the lumberyard, sold Cokes to the employees and customers, was a Boy Scout, and participated in DeMolay. He graduated from Victoria College in 1951 and entered the Air Force during the Korean Conflict and served from 1951 to 1953.
He attended Texas A&M for a short period of time and soon joined his father at Zarsky Lumber Company in 1953. He became the manager of the Victoria location in 1975. Eventually, he became the president and CEO and led the company’s growth to its current ten locations and its most recent ranking of 67th in sales volume of independent lumberyards in the country. Dan loved his work and the building material industry. His employees, vendors, and associates were very much his family. He was the president of the Lumbermen’s Association of Texas in 1979 and was awarded the honor of Lumberman of the Year for the state of Texas in 1984.
He served on the Board of Directors for the Lumbermen’s Merchandising Corporation, which is based in Wayne, Pennsylvania. He was honored by the position and was respected for his quiet and thoughtful contributions and imput.
Dan was a charter member of the Victoria Planning commission and served from 1957 to 1968. He was a longtime member of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce and a founding member of the Victoria Country Club. He was also president of the Victoria Homebuilder’s Association in 1971 and was named Builder of the Year in 1970. For a number of years he was a managing partner of Coleman Roth Homes. He served on the South Texas Savings Board of Directors for a number of years and was its Chairman of the Board for two years. Dan was active with the Suburban Kiwanis Club and was its president in 1966. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church.
Because Dan was so fulfilled by his career, he had few hobbies, but he was always ready for travel. He had been to all 50 US states and had visited at least 4 other continents. Additionally, he had some ranchland that he greatly improved over the years and raised a few head of cattle. His weekend daytrips to his ranch continued until as recently as two months ago.
During the last nine months of his life, Dan and his family were very grateful for the gentle care and compassion given by his doctors and constant caregivers.
He is survived by his lovely wife Melba Jean Cooper Coleman, to whom he was married almost 54 years, his daughter, Cally Coleman Fromme, her husband Travis and their children Karoline and Coleman. He was so proud of his grandchildren and was always interested in their education and activities. Dan was predeceased by his parents, brother Bill Coleman, and son W. Cooper Coleman.
After a private burial, this week, a memorial service will be held on Friday, May 31st at 6pm at First United Methodist Church, 407 N Bridge in Victoria.
For those who wish to memorialize Dan’s life, donations would be most welcome at First United Methodist Church and Trinity Episcopal School.
Words of comfort may be shared with the Family at colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com
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