Donald Francis Coleman

Donald Francis Coleman, 85, died early on the morning of Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at home in Bryan, Texas with his son, Wade Francis Coleman, at his bedside following a 7-year battle with cancer. While the ailment robbed him of many of his physical abilities, his spirit, mind, wit, and sense of humor remained strong, as did his faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Donald was born on Tuesday, March 31, 1936 in New York City to Edith and Francis Coleman. He graduated Bayside High School and immediately went to work for Combustion Engineering in New York City. Early in his time with the company, he was transferred to Chattanooga, Tennessee where, on a blind date, he met the woman who would become his wife and the love of his life, Anna Mae Reed, a secretary with the then Provident Insurance Company in Chattanooga. The couple married in September of 1958 and moved to Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee.
In 1967 they adopted their son, Wade Francis Coleman and in 1969 they adopted their son, Lance Christopher Coleman. In 1987, Donald left Combustion Engineering and took a job with the Tennessee Valley Authority. In the 1990s following retirement from TVA, he returned to ABB/Combustion as a Sr. Vice-President before retiring again. Donald worked with Filter Specialists in Soddy-Daisy and fully retired in the early 2000s to enjoy time at home with his family.
Donald was known and respected by many following his years with Combustion, TVA, and Filter Specialists. Donald loved the Lord and shared that love with others by the respectful way in which he conducted himself. Donald personified the saying, “Love is respect in work clothes.” Rich or poor, black or white, Donald loved others, regardless of their station in life.
Donald was preceded in death by his wife Anna Mae Coleman, father Francis Coleman, mother Edith Firth Coleman Swann. He is survived by his son Wade Francis Coleman (Marian) and son, Lance Christopher Coleman, sister Joyce Edith Ford (Duane B.), granddaughter Charis Elisabeth Coleman, grandsons Joshua Wade Coleman (Sarah), Christopher Coleman, Micah Coleman, and Noah Coleman, nephew Jon Cardi and nieces Sonya Cardi Young and Serena Cardi Corby as well as cousins Sylvia Zappia and William T. Firth.
A Celebration of Life and Funeral Service will be conducted at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Bryan, Texas at 11:00am on Monday, July 12, 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church or the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, Texas.