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BORN
1928
DIED
2016
John Coleman Obituary
The cause of death is pending, according to the Virginia chief medical examiner's northern district office in Manassas, Va.
"It's not important how he died, but how he lived," said his son Michael, a former mayor of Columbus. "He lived a full and complete life, a great man in many ways."
Dr. Coleman and his wife, Joan - retired executive director of the Toledo/?Lucas County Victim-Witness Assistance Program - moved to Virginia in 2003. Dr. Coleman joined the Sterling, Va., medical practice of his daughter, Linda.
To younger physicians in Toledo, Dr. Coleman was a role model, said Dr. Imran Andrabi, president and chief executive of Mercy Health.
"He was a true physician and gentleman," said Dr. Andrabi, a resident in family medicine under Dr. Coleman who eventually took over his practice.
Dr. Coleman was named 1999 Family Physician of the Year by the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians.
He taught at the former Medical College of Ohio and what is now Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center and served on the Lucas County Children Services and Cordelia Martin Health Center boards. He oversaw family practice residency at the former Mercy Hospital. He became the only northwest Ohio delegate to the state Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation.
"His attitude was, 'If there is some way I can help, I will do that,'" said Judge C. Allen McConnell of Toledo Municipal Court, who was a patient and friend. "He contributed mightily to the community."
His son Michael said Dr. Coleman "set an example of serving someone, to better the life of someone else" to his children, including his son Jeffrey, who has worked for Franklin County and state government.
The grandson of a slave, he was born in August, 1928, to Cleo and Ben Coleman and grew up in segregated Madison, Ind. He was valedictorian at age 15 of his Broadway High School graduating class. He was a graduate of Indiana University, from which he received his medical degree in 1953. He was a captain in the Army Medical Corps and served in El Paso.
His son David died in 1977.
Surviving are his wife, Joan, whom he married in August, 1953; sons, Michael and Jeffrey; daughter, Dr. Linda Coleman, and eight grandchildren.
Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, with services at 11 a.m., in All Saints Episcopal Church, where he was a member. Arrangements are by the Dale-Riggs Funeral Home.
The family suggests tributes to his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Inc., Ashburn, Va.
Staff writer Mark Reiter contributed to this report.
This is a news story by Blade staff writer Mark Zaborney. Contact him at: [email protected] or 419-724-6182.
Memories and Condolences
for John Coleman
20 Entries
January 3, 2017
Sorry for your loss. My prayers are with your family during this sad time. May you have peace and comfort in knowing that others care and are praying for you during this sad time.
Carla Danner-Powell
January 2, 2017
Mrs. Coleman, Michael, Jeff, and Linda,
I was so sad to hear of the passing of Dr. Coleman. I have so many wonderful memories of all of you, especially him. I remember when I had one of my wedding showers at your house on Talmadge Rd., Dr. Coleman cleaned up the backyard for the shower. For some reason, we ended up having the shower in the house and did not use the backyard. At the wedding, Dr. Coleman teased me and said, "Girl, I cleaned up that backyard for you and you didn't even use it." Then he laughed and hugged me. I have never forgotten that--his warmth and humor. When my father passed, Dr. Coleman was there at All Saint's for the funeral and the repast, such a symbol of strength and comfort for me. He was such a great man! I will remember him always! I will keep you all in my prayers.
December 12, 2016
On behalf of the Columbus Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., please accept our heartfelt condolences on the loss of Brother John Henry Coleman. God Bless you!!
"We'll long for thee and toil until we reach that Golden Shore"
Phil Shotwell
Polemarch
Columbus Alumni Chapter
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity,Inc.
December 10, 2016
Mike,
You have my deepest sympathies. The Lord is with you.
Cecil
Minda McCoy
December 10, 2016
To the family of Mr. John Coleman, it is with much sadness that I just learned of the passing of Mr. Coleman. I had the privilege and honor of meeting Mr. Coleman at the Legends and Legacy program where his son, Michael B. Coleman was being honored. What a wonderful man who exuded great confidence and love for his son and his entire family. May God bless you all and keep you during this most difficult time. Please know I am praying for all of you.
Respectfully submitted,
A Columbus Resident
December 10, 2016
Mayor Coleman, you and your family have my deepest sympathy on the loss of your father. I had to do a double take when I first saw his picture. He lives on in your memories.
Elder Larry Price
December 9, 2016
My prayers are with the Coleman family
Yea tho I walk thru the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.
for thou art with me.
Price Family
Robert Klever
December 9, 2016
Our condolences to the Coleman family. It was my pleasure to have meet and known Dr. Coleman over the years as a friend to my parents. A wonderful person and also a very respected doctor, father, husband and friend. His passing is our loss and heaven's gain. God bless
December 9, 2016
As a former resident of Toledo from 1942- 1976, I knew Dr. Coleman. I extend my condolences to the family. He was appreciated in the community serving in his capacity as a medical healer. We give thanks for his service. Lawrence Curtis Totty, Washington DC.
Jason Ofori, MD
December 9, 2016
I first met John Coleman when I moved to Toledo 35yrs ago. I came to town riding in the same plane with Joan. Throughout the years we took care of each others family socially and professionally. He loved and played a mean Golf game. I found him to be a man of integrity and a physician's physician. He was knowledgeable and caring and i saw him educated and mentor generations of Physicians. I was always amazed that he had up to date depth of knowledge on a wide range of medical topics not only in his specialty but also in mine in addition to social and politics issues.
He was inspirational in life, thoughts, ideas and ideals.
Who among us did not admire his delightful and ageless physical structure!
He had an uncanny ability to tell candid jokes and his always jovial and acerbic observations on humans and humanity were insightful and disarmingly funny and delightful.
It was our good fortune and privilege to have known him and Joan.
At a difficult time such as this, we pray that the many happy memories of the times that John shared with his family and with us will uphold, sustain and strengthen Joan and the rest of the family.
For us let us all Keep the Faith and live out John Coleman's creed.
And may John's soul rest in everlasting Peace.
Jason & Comfort Ofori.
Rose Mock
December 9, 2016
Joan, Linda and the rest of the Coleman family. I am so sorry for your loss. John was my friend and a great man. God Bless you all.
Billie Johnson
December 9, 2016
Dear Coleman Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Dr. Coleman did so much for our community and we will always remember him. He was a great role model for all of us.
Billie Johnson and your friends at the
Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc.
Judith Shoals (Ardrey)
December 8, 2016
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Patrick Klever
December 8, 2016
Dr. Coleman was a well-respected man, husband, father, and doctor. It was my privilege to know him and family as good friends to my parents Tom and Harriette Klever. God bless you, Coleman family.
Mike Klever
December 8, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Joan, his children, and grandchildren. I have many found memories of Dr. Coleman when he worked with my father at the Mercy Family Practice Residency program. He was extremely well respected in our family. To my father, he was a tremendous friend and colleague.
Robert Ebright
December 8, 2016
Our sincerest sympathies and condolences to the Coleman family. We remember many good times that were had with the Klever family. God bless all of you!
Jerry Garner
December 8, 2016
Coleman Family, I was saddened to read of Dr. Coleman's passing. I remember as a kid, growing up on Prospect, with the Coleman family, and into my adult years socializing with Dr. and Mrs. Coleman in various organizations. Like my father, he was one of the reasons I also became a KAPPA. May GOD give you strength to remember the good times with DOC.
Jerry Garner, Atlanta, GA
December 8, 2016
Condolences to you Joan & your family. God bless all of you.
Ann Coleman Francois
o woodard
December 8, 2016
God bless miss Joan & family,
prayers & love go out to yall.
Dynna Simmons Woodard
Metrya Simmons Mills
Helycia Simmons
Susan Wesolowski- Mizer
December 7, 2016
I am so sorry for your loss. I worked at the old Mercy hospital and he was a great caring person.
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