M.L. "Fritz" Coleman

M.L. “Fritz” Coleman was truly one of a kind. On November 5, 2025, his work on earth was done, and he is now rejoicing with his many family and friends in the presence of his Heavenly Father.

Fritz was born on the Cross S Ranch in Crystal City, Texas, on January 20, 1932, to Henrietta Goodson Brucks and Mike Leonard Coleman. He spent his early years in El Indio and Eagle Pass, Texas with his beloved grandparents, Henry Charles Goodson and Susie Vancleve Goodson. His grandfather lovingly called him,”Snigglefritz,” which is where he earned his name.

Fritz believed in hard work from an early age. He started working in his family’s store in El Indio when he was just nine years old and was driving cattle trucks to the Union Stockyards in San Antonio on his own by the age of fourteen. In college, after football practice, he drove a truck late into the night, would catch a few hours of sleep and be in class the next morning. He was a going Jesse! His unwavering work ethic shaped his character and helped him achieve the goals he set for his future. He took pride in earning every step forward..

He graduated from Eagle Pass High School in 1950 and went on to play football at Southwest Junior College in Uvalde on a full scholarship. After graduating from SWTJC, he received an additional scholarship to play football at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos. Unfortunately, due to an illness, he was unable to fulfill his practice requirements and lost his scholarship.

Fritz was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952. He trained at Fort Bliss in El Paso before being stationed in Weisboden, Germany, where he served for eighteen months guarding the Rhine River during the Korean Conflict. He often spoke of how trying it was being away from family, but always finished his thought with his belief that every man should serve his nation.

After his service, he returned to Texas and began a career in agriculture, working for Ag Supplies/Smith Company in Batesville, where he mixed chemicals, drove trucks, and checked fields. He also worked at their Uvalde and Pearsall locations, eventually becoming manager of Ag Supplies in Batesville. In 1984, he launched his own chemical company and crop-dusting service, Agro Farm Services, which he later sold.

On November 2,1962, Fritz married Virginia Lanell Sawyers, known to all as Ginger, of Batesville. He was a bit dishonest about his age when he first coaxed her into a date, being thirteen years her senior, but that first date led to a marriage that lasted 63 years. Ginger dedicated her life to Fritz, and remained by his side through every chapter. Her love was steadfast and she held his hand to the very end.

They were blessed with three children: Kevin Lynn Coleman, Jennifer Coleman Griffin, James Beaumont Coleman(Valeria). Their family grew with the arrival of grandchildren: Joslynn Griffin, Bella Griffin, Kathleen Coleman Buyse, Natalie Coleman, and Jack Coleman. Fritz deeply loved his family and relished having them near. He was always ready to pick up the dinner check or talk Ginger into cooking, just to fill the house with the people he loved.

Fritz was preceded in death by his parents, Henrietta Brucks and Mike Coleman, his beloved siblings, Ray Coleman, and sister, Suzanne Buckoviny, along with her husband, Bob. He adored his siblings and their passing was a deep loss he carried with quiet strength. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Sharon Coleman, and his cherished nieces and nephews: Wade Coleman (Tommie), Russell Coleman, Patricia Arnold (Mike), Ava Anderson, Audrey Richey, and Amy Stoner (Gil), along with many great-nieces and nephews. Their visits brought him immense joy and he truly loved them as his own. Nothing lit up his day more than time spent with family.

He was proud to play a key role in bringing a city water system to Batesville in 1967 and was passionate about helping his community thrive. He served as Board President of Batesville Water Supply for many years. After opening his business, he was featured in Farm Store Merchandising Magazine just one year after its launch. The article highlighted how much he accomplished in such a short amount of time.

Fritz was an avid deer hunter and spent countless days on ranches around Zavala County. Hunting with him was known to be quite an experience! His love for the land was immeasurable. Whether he was planting a seed, finding a new calf, or checking on his cattle, the land was not just his livelihood, it was his joy. He never longed for a vacation, because there was nowhere else he’d rather be. He was still driving and checking cattle until just months before his passing.

Fritz’s friendships were deep and lifelong. Their camaraderie brought him strength, laughter, and unshakable support. He mourned the loss of many dear life-long friends, but considered himself blessed to forge new friendships. He also warmly embraced his children’s friends over the years, treating them like family and taking joy in their visits, conversations, and milestones.

His generosity knew no bounds. He was always willing to help families in need, never asking for anything in return. If he saw children standing outside the store in Batesville, he’d hand them money for a treat.

Fritz loved visiting with farmers and ranchers at the local restaurant in Batesville, where a good conversation and a familiar face were always waiting. He never met a stranger. No matter where he traveled, he seemed to run into someone he knew. His knowledge of the area was unmatched and he could tell you the history of nearly every ranch in Zavala County, who once owned it,and who owns it now. His memory was sharp, his stories were rich, and his connections ran deep. Being in conversation with him was like sitting down with a living history book, and people loved that about him.

Fritz Coleman lived a life full of love, hard work, service, and deep-rooted values. He was a man of character, tenacity and devotion. He was one of the last true characters. He leaves behind a legacy that stretches far beyond the fields he tended or the cattle he raised. He lived a good life and those who knew him are better for it.

He is honored to have Jaimie Campos, Corey Campbell, Wade Coleman, Tony Galvan, Tomas Galvan, Jeff Vaughan, and Jedd Vaughan serve as his pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are: Russell Coleman, Abel Campos, Don Green, Mark Schweers, Danny Parker, and Bill Wright.

Fritz will be laid to rest at a graveside service at the Batesville Cemetery on Monday, November, 10 at 2:00.

We would like to thank Annette, Connie, Hilda, and Sonia at Saunder’s Assisted Living for helping us care for our Dad these last 12 weeks as well as the team at Uvalde Hospice for their thoughtful care and support in helping our dad peacefully make his way back home.

John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”