Lorren Willard Colemen

Lorren Coleman passed away peacefully shortly after midnight on September 16, 2025, in the home that he built with friends 47 years ago. He was just 1 week shy of 99 years old, the oldest WWII veteran in Whatcom County, his home for 70 years. Six weeks before passing he drove himself back and forth to the Sumas American Legion one last time. Just 3 weeks before passing, he was diagnosed with Lung Cancer that had spread throughout his body. Lorren was born in Hugo, Missouri, on September 23, 1926. In 1931 at their farm near Newcastle, Wyoming, his mother, Nellie, died in childbirth bearing her 12th child, who also did not survive. The 60-acre farm fell victim to the Dust Bowl catastrophe. His father Wallace sold and loaded his 11 children into a 1929 Ford, modified with a canvas cover. They were migrant farm workers, following harvests through South Dakota, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, and Washington, finally putting down deep roots in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho in 1936. In September of 1943 Lorren enlisted in the US Army Air Force. While waiting to be called-up he stayed at his brother Basil's house in Tacoma, Washington, and worked as a rivet-bucker at Boeing for "Rosie the Riveter." Always skinny, he fit into the tightest spots of B17 fuselages, backing the riveting of some great women. Lorren was called to Active Duty in February 1944. In November 1945 he began service in the US Army, as the Army Air Forces were splitting into the Army and Air Force. Lorren served as Military Police in Berlin, until honorably discharged in 1946. In 1946 Lorren met the love of his life and his wife for 72 years, Peggy (Gladys) Coleman in Craigmont, Idaho. Lorren found steady work as a telegraph operator, with Northern Pacific Railroad. They moved him all over Western Washington. Lorren and Peggy spent 4 years living at Stampede Pass, near Snoqualmie Pass, Washington. Often snowed-in into July, they moved-in with 1 daughter and moved out with 3. In 1955 they settled into Sumas, where Lorren worked his way up to Freight Agent, retiring from Burlington Northern in 1985. Always great with numbers, Lorren did the books for his beloved American Legion Post 212, Sumas. This started before he retired and continued for over 40 years. "The Legion" remains a hub of friendship, purpose, and honor in the Coleman family, and no doubt contributed to Lorren living for nearly 100 healthy years. Lorren loved golf. And he was good at it, even better when a little money was on the line. Same goes for poker and pool. If there is betting, don't bet against Lorren. He was not a gambler. He was great with money, ending life in the black: no mortgage, car, credit card, or medical debt. Lorren and Peggy raised 2 batches of children, over a span of 50 years. After their 4 daughters, Sandra, Christina, Marian, and Sue, they raised Christina's children Merrill, Cypress, and Geneva. Lorren was preceded in death by all of his 10 siblings, his wife, Peggy, and 3 of his 4 children: Sandra (Sandy), Christina (Chris), and Marian. He is survived by his daughter Sue Coleman-Corriveau, 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, 9 great-great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-great-grandchild. Sue's children are Zachary Lorren and Dylan Corriveau. Christina's children are Merrill and Cypress Tucker, and Geneva Luna. Marian's children are James, Brian, Phillip, and Ben Amble, and Adrienne Siemsen. After Peggy died, Lorren found a soulmate in a faithful Labrador retriever, Charlotte. Near the end, shortly after Lorren disconnected from everyday life, Charlotte was diagnosed with Cancer after puzzling weight loss. She was mercifully put down just 2 days after Lorren passed. Graveside Service is on Saturday, September 27 at 10:00 am, at Sumas Cemetery. Gather after the service at Sumas American Legion, 134 Harrison Street, Sumas, WA 98295. Stories begin at Noon. Everyone is welcome. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.