Capt. USN (Ret.) James "Jim" Coleman

James Coleman

Capt. James E.M. Coleman, USN (Ret.), "Jim", 76, a 30-year resident of Annapolis, died July 7 at Anne Arundel Medical Center. He was born Jan. 10, 1935, in Manila, Philippine Islands, to Navy Academy graduate Herbert M. Coleman (class of 1932) and the former Georgeanne Marshall. He spent his early childhood in China before his father was posted to Hawaii. The family was in Honolulu on December 7, 1941, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Jim graduated in 1956 from the California Maritime Academy with a Bachelor's degree in Marine Engineering. After several years at sea in the Merchant Marine, he received a direct commission as an Engineering Duty Officer in the U.S. Navy. He first served as Ship Superintendent at the Charleston Naval Shipyard and then as an Engineering Officer on the guided missile cruiser, USS Boston (CAG-1), and was awarded the Navy Expeditionary Medal. After four years of active duty, he returned to civilian life. He remained in the Naval Reserve and was promoted in rank, finally retiring as Captain after 32 years of service. In civilian life, he first worked for Vitro Laboratories and then with the Government Civil Service as a program engineer for Polaris Class submarines. He was a member of the submarine safety program, the Board of Inspection and Survey and a founding member of the Navy's Environmental Protection Program. His last assignment was as Program Manager of the Navy's Submarine Maintenance and Material Management Office of the Naval Sea Systems Command. He received the Navy's Meritorious Civilian Service Award and retired in June of 2000. In retirement, he became a technical advisor to the Navy's Virginia Class submarine research and development program, and was a National Director and Mid-Atlantic Area President of the Navy League. He also served as president of the local chapter of the Military Order of World Wars and of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). Other activities included membership in the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, National Safe Boating Council and the American Boat and Yacht Council. He was a former sailing coach/safety officer and Education Chairman for the Naval Academy Sailing Squadron, a member of the Annapolis City Maritime Advisory Board and a licensed private airplane pilot. He also enjoyed spending time with his schipperke, Keya. He is survived by his wife, Mary Frances of Annapolis; and sister, Melinda Goss of Ogdensburg, NY. Arrangements are being handled by the John M. Taylor Funeral Home in Annapolis, and interment will be private. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20 at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Church Circle, Annapolis. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the MOAA scholarship fund, Box 320910, Alexandria, VA 22320-4910 or to the organization of one's choice. Online condolences may be made at www.johnmtaylorfuneralhome.com