Raymond Coleman

1929 - 2012

Raymond Leroy "Coley" Coleman

June 25, 1929 - July 12, 2012

FAIRVIEW - Raymond Leroy Coleman, beloved husband of Barbara Coleman, died at age 83 after a short bout with cancer and heart disease. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son David and his daughters Susan Coleman, Kathy Coleman and Nancy Vickers; his step children Paul, Tom, Carol and Joe Schuberg and Gary and Paul Snair; nine grandchildren, Morgan, Matthew, Danny, Katie, Sam, Grant, Elizabeth, Jenny, Shelley; and three great grandchildren India, Riley and Kaleb. He has three remaining siblings, Bob Coleman, Betty Cross and Dolores Melton. He also leaves behind his beloved father figure and life mentor, Robert Elliott.

Raymond (also known as Leroy and Coley) was born and raised in Klamath Falls, the fourth child of Amos and Katie Coleman who preceded him in death. As a young man Leroy's life revolved around athletics, and he was outstanding in everything he attempted.

In high school he participated in football, basketball, and baseball. In is senior year he was elected to the All-Star team in basketball. He led his team to second place at the state tournament and was elected to the All-Tournament team.

Leroy played basketball at the University of Oregon his freshman year in college. He then transferred to Vanport (now Portland State University) where he was the leading scorer on the basketball team and was quarterback on the football team. Because Vanport was a junior college, he was recruited by OCE (now Western Oregon university) where he lettered and excelled in four sports-football, basketball, baseball and tennis. Hew was elected to Western Oregon's Athletic Hall of Family the only athlete to ever letter in four sports. While at OCE, he was also elected to the NAIA Hall of Fame.

He was drafted by the Canadian Football League, but at the same time after college graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Korea and Japan.

After his two year stint in the Army, he returned to Monmouth and taught and coached for 32 years at Central High School in Monmouth/Independence. He taught science and physical education and coached three sports. His baseball team won the state tournament in 1957, and his basketball and football teams were winners. In later years he became Central's athletic director. In 1980 he was chosen athletic director of the year for Oregon, and was a finalist for the same honor on a national level.

He was well-loved by all his athletes, team mates and many good friends, and he returned their love. A living memorial to him is Coleman Field, the football field at Central High School which was named in his honor.

In his later years of retirement, he and Barbara (who he called "the love of my life") enjoyed happy times. They traveled every where - Hawaii, New York, the Midwest, Panama, Mexico and many golf resorts. They loved their two months every winter in Palm Springs together.

Leroy had a passion for wood working, and his family and many friends will have structures and works of art to remember him by. He will be dearly missed and fond memories will remain.

A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 28 at Gresham Memorial Chapel 257 SE Roberts Ave. Gresham. Private committal will be at Willamette National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, consider giving to the Athletic Department in his name at Central High School 1503 Monmouth Street. Independence, OR 97351