John Richard Coleman

John Richard Coleman, 85, of Valdosta, died on Friday, November 21, 2008 after a short illness. He was born September 10, 1923 in Coconut Grove (Dade County) FL to Otis Howard and Bessie Brinson Coleman of Moultrie. He served twenty-one years in the US Navy. A few of the many ships that John served on were; USS Salem, USS Porter, USS Shadwell. He served on the Police Force in Coral Gables, FL and also worked as a private Yacht Captain. He was Director of Parks and Recreation in Dade County, FL and Director of Physical Plant for Florida International University in Miami. He later worked as Administrator of Parks and Recreation in Valdosta. He was a member of the First Christian Church where he served as an Elder, the WWII Memorial Society, VFW, and Elks club, American Legion, Belles and Beaux Square Dance Club, Valdosta Senior Center. He volunteered in the following areas; Kiwanis Club, Boy Scouts of America, and received the Volunteer of the Year Award, Moody Air Force Base, Valdosta, Fauquier County Parks and Recreation Board, Warrenton, VA, Red Coat at South Georgia Medical Center, Valdosta.
Some of the many things John enjoyed were; water activities, boating, fishing, dancing, poetry, watching John Wayne movies, reading, especially Westerns, American History and the Civil War stories. He enjoyed a good game of Pinnacle and playing pool with his buddies.

Survivors include his wife, Doris June Skiles Coleman; daughter, Ivy Seigal of Denver, CO; two step-daughters, Molly Lippincott of Warrenton, VA, Linda Sprague of Maxwell, IA; ten grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren; two nieces, Mary Mooney of Henderson, TN, Janie Andrews, Pearson. He was preceded in death by a son, John Otis Coleman, Denver, CO, sister, Louise Coleman Hicks, Nashville, TN.

A Memorial service will be held at the First Christian Church, Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 11 a.m. The family will receive friends after the service. In lieu of flowers please make contributions to the First Christian Church or the Valdosta Senior Center. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanefuneraservices.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602