Millard R. Coleman

Millard R. Coleman Our beloved father, Millard R. Coleman, who was born on May 21, 1919 in Broken Bow, Neb., died Dec. 15, 2008. He had a great many friends and made many new friends wherever he went. Everyone was always impressed by his warmth and his caring attitude. He was always upbeat and enjoyed his life immensely. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, 2008 at Cloverdale Funeral Home with a viewing prior to the service from 12-1 p.m. Millard enjoyed playing tennis even though it wasn't a common sport when he grew up; he participated in tournaments in Boise and Salt Lake City. Millard could have been classified as a "sports nut", following teams in Alliance, Neb. as well as Boise. He went so far as to keep notebooks filled with the statistics of every player on many teams. If a game wasn't on TV, he was often found at his desk listening to games on the radio. His favorite spectator sports were football, basketball and track. Millard's favorite football team was the Boise State Broncos-he and his wife Helen had season tickets for over 40 years before he had to give them up due to his declining health and the death of his wife in 2003. He also followed the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Denver Broncos religiously. Millard grew up in Alliance, Neb., graduating from high school in 1936. He met his wife in Alliance and they were married in 1941 in Salt Lake City. During World War II he joined the Coast Guard and traveled around the United States for training. The War ended before he was sent overseas. During and after the war Millard and Helen lived in several places, eventually ending up in Boise. Son Dallas was born in Seattle, Wash.; daughter Melissa was born in Boise. Millard and Helen had been married for 62 years when she passed away in 2003. He worked for several companies in Boise including Gem State Wholesale Drug Company, Skaggs and Saint Alphonsus Hospital. He retired from the St. Alphonsus purchasing department in 1984. All his life Millard loved music and he belonged to the Chancel Choir at Whitney United Methodist Church for over 50 years. When he moved into Valley View Nursing Home he continued singing, joining in with any musical entertainment with gusto and leading the "congregation" in singing the best that he could. Millard was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and wife. He is survived by his two children, Melissa E. Coleman of Eagle, Idaho and Dallas M. Coleman of Coeur d 'Alene, Idaho. They loved him very much. Millard's family especially thanks Valley View Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Centers for their kindness to and care of Dad in his last years. Memorials can be made in his name to the Whitney United Methodist Church Music Department in Boise, Idaho. Condolences for the family may be submitted online at www.cloverdalefuneralhome.com.