Thomas E. Coleman Sr., devoted to family
Thomas E. Coleman Sr., 80, a resident of Millsboro, passed away Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes. He was born Oct. 12, 1943, in Lumberton, N.C., son of William E. and Virginia E. Humphrey Coleman.
He graduated in 1962 from Warwick High School in Newport News, Va., and joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a C-130 crew chief during the Vietnam War. Following his service, he returned to Virginia, where he began a long career with Allegheny Airlines/USAir/US Airways in Newport News, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Manchester, N.H., and Charlotte, N.C., working as a customer service agent, supervisor, assistant station manager, and station manager. He was later employed in restaurant management.
Tom was a past president of the Allenstown Pembroke New Hampshire Lions Club and a former volunteer with Beebe Healthcare’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. He was an avid reader and history buff, and he spent many years researching his family genealogy. He loved doing crossword puzzles, and he made an incredible chili based on his beloved dad’s recipe. Tom was an enthusiastic fisherman and a devoted fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, suffering and celebrating with his favorite team for decades.
Most importantly, he was devoted to his family. Tom especially loved reading to his kids when they were little, was active in Boy Scouts with his sons, and was proud to be the first homeroom dad at Chatham Park Elementary School in Havertown, Pa. He loved taking the family to the beach every year and especially enjoyed playing mini golf with the kids and sitting on the screened porch reading. He cherished family get-togethers and holiday celebrations, and enjoyed reminiscing and chatting with his cousins and old friends.
He was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Rhonda G. Coleman; and his infant son, Wesley. Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Christina (Tina) Coleman (nee Nelson) of Millsboro; his former wife, Barbara Coleman of Sacramento, Calif.; children, Diane R. Davis (Norbert) of Elk Grove, Calif., Michael A. Coleman (Laura) of Fair Oaks, Calif.; A. Melissa Coleman of Chicago, Thomas E. Coleman Jr. (Rachel) of West Chester, Pa., and Dennis W. Coleman (Annemarie) of Philadelphia, Pa.; grandchildren, Thomas and Branden Coleman, and Zachary and Wesley Davis; sister-in-law, Missy Nelson of Havertown, Pa.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ted and Kim Nelson of Elverson, Pa.; nephew, Scott Collins (Michele); niece, Billie Gunter (Butch); many much-loved cousins and friends; and Gus, his beloved family dog. Tom will be deeply missed by us all.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 20, at Llanerch Presbyterian Church, 211 Lansdowne Road, Havertown, Pa.
Gifts in Tom’s memory may be made to Tom’s local affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to support their work providing free books to children and fostering a love of reading, as he did for his children, bit.ly/ImaginationLibraryCapeHenlopen.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting melsonfuneralservices.com.
