Thomas Michael Coleman

1954 - 2017

Thomas Michael Coleman
January 21, 1954 - November 3, 2017
Thomas Michael Coleman passed away peacefully on November 3, 2017 at his home in Harriman, TN surrounded by his husband and close friends from complications related to liver cancer. He arrived in this world on January 21, 1954 in Moscow, ID; the first of three children born to Donna and James Coleman. Tom graduated from Capital High School in 1972 and was a member of the state championship tennis team that year. From there he went to the University of Idaho where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He graduated with a degree in Business and Finance in 1976 and started his career in the banking industry working for Idaho First National Bank in Boise, ID. He spent his entire career in banking, dedicating 36 years of service and retiring in 2012 from US Bank.
On March 22, 1980 he married Elizabeth Lejardi of Homedale, ID whom he met on a coed softball team. They raised two beautiful girls; Michele Lauer (Coleman), born on April 12, 1981 and Nicole Coleman, born on June 11, 1984 in Boise, ID. Family was very important to Tom. His two girls were his pride and joy and he enjoyed attending nearly every school program, athletic event his girls were involved in, and all important milestones throughout their lives. He raised his girls with a strong Basque culture and Catholic faith. He also was a very proud and dedicated grandparent of two grandsons; Carter and Evan Lauer.
In 2003, he met the love of his life Russ Sutton and moved to Naples, Florida where they built a house on an acreage. Together Tom and Russ continued to work on the property creating a paradise of lush vegetation and gardens. Tom and Russ had many adventures and built a thriving business together which won them an award for their service to others. Tom and Russ traveled to exotic regions of the world including South America, the Galapagos Islands, and the Azores. Tom learned to scuba dive, hang glided, and even parachuted on his 60th birthday. Towards the last few years of his life, Russ and Tom moved to Harriman, TN where they fell in love with the area and its rich history. They spent a lot of their time renovating an 1890s victorian home to its original historic beauty.
Tom was a passionate alum of the University of Idaho serving in numerous positions for the alumni and booster associations. He was also very active in the Boise community serving on the board of Capital City Kiwanis and the Capital Soccer Club as the club's treasurer. Tom later became the chairman of the historical neighborhood in Harriman, TN, organizing and planning events to further help in the restoration of the district as well as his and Russ' house. Tom was very committed to helping others and the community to thrive and by example, taught those around him the meaning of unconditional love, kindness, and respect. Tom had only two unfulfilled items on his bucket list when he passed under the care of his husband Russ.
Tom was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Donna Coleman, his Aunt Joan Barber, Uncles Robert Coleman and William Bremmer and his sister-in-law Marilyn Coleman. He is survived by his husband Russ Sutton of Harriman, TN; daughters Michele (Erich) Lauer of Boise, ID, Nicole (Courtney) Coleman of Boise, ID; his father James Coleman of Boise, ID; his brothers Dick (Shirleen) Coleman of Hailey, ID and Don (Becky) Coleman of Canby, OR and his grandsons Carter and Evan Lauer of Boise, ID, plus numerous nephews and nieces.
Arrangements are under the care of Davis Funeral Home in Harriman, TN with a viewing scheduled for 11/09/2017 from 4pm-6pm followed by a Rosary at 6pm. The funeral mass will be held at 10am on 11/10/2017 at Blessed Sacrament Church in Harriman officiated by Father Sweeney followed by a reception at the church. The family wishes to thank the staff at Amedisys Hospice for their kindness and care they provided Tom. Many heartfelt thanks to Coleene, Claudia, Lynn, Alyse, Linda and Elizabeth for their assistance and love during Tom's last days.