Francis J Coleman died a peaceful death February 15, 2017, at the home of his daughter Nancy Neel, and son-in-law Dale Neel, of Broomfield Colorado. He was born March 10, 1921 in Pueblo Colorado, the 7th child of Fred S. Coleman and Ella Hawley Coleman.
He joined the Marines during WWII. In 1944 he was severely wounded in the battle for Saipan when he volunteered to help put out a fire in an ammunition dump. He was one of the only survivors as he endeavored to save the lives of fellow marines. For his courage and bravery he received the Silver Star. He was also at the battles of Guadalcanal and Tarawa.
He married Mary Bette Hudspeth of Pueblo Co., who was a WAVE during the War. They were married in their uniforms during 12:00 Mass at St. Monica Church in Santa Monica California. During the War many marriages took place on leave, at Mass…no white dress, no bouquet.
After Mary Bette died in January 1985 he remarried Nina Robinson in February 1986 After 26 wonderful years of Marriage He lost his wife Nina Coleman. Frank Coleman leaves behind his daughter Nancy Neel, son-in-law Dale Neel, granddaughter Fabian Neel and great-grandson Cody Medina. He also leaves behind his three step-daughters Betty Paquet, Patty Mayden, and Susie Riley, Son-in-law Steve Riley, Grandchildren Stacy Lee Kennelly, Eric Webber, Marie Mayden, Joe Mayden, Matt Riley, Stephanie Reynas, Ken Medina, Jr., and Shonelle Borquez. He leaves 16 Great Grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews who adored him.
Frank was professional singer and a member of the St. Charles Borromeo Choir, conducted by Paul Salamunovich. The choir performed in Rome for Pope John Paul II in 1985 and 1988. He worked as a milkman for Knudson Creamery in Hollywood while he pursued his musical career.
Frank was not only a talented singer but a supreme joke teller and a wonderful storyteller. One of his favorite stories of growing up on the Coleman Dairy was of his job herding the cows to green pastures by the Arkansas River in Pueblo, where one day he lost the herd. Grandpa was not a man who wanted to hear that his milk cows were roaming free somewhere along the Arkansas.
He was a man of deep Catholic faith which sustained him through his life. His family and nieces and nephews will always remember him whenever they watch the movie “Up” as he was the model for Carl in the movie.
Services will be held at Spirit of Christ Catholic Community in Arvada, Colorado on Tuesday, February 28th at 11:00am. A celebration of a wonderful man, a hero, a decent human being, and the last of a generation that defined the best of who we are. A son of the Colorado Prairie.
Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary, Cemetery & Arboretum, Wheat Ridge, CO.
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