In Memoriam : Louis Coleman
Louis H. Coleman - age: 89
(November 17, 1921 to November 16, 2011 ) Resident of Idabel, Oklahoma Visitation Information: visitation: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, Nov.18th at Norwood-Nation Funeral Home. Obituary: Louis H. Coleman was born on November 17, 1921, in McCurtain County to Oscar and Cara (nee Sutton) Coleman. He passed from this life on November 16, 2011 at Clarksville, Texas. He attended Shults Grade School and graduated from Idabel High School in 1938. He received his B.S. in Agricultural Journalism in 1942 from Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University). After several rejections for military service for physical reasons, he was finally accepted by the United States Army in April 1944. After serving in the U.S. Infantry in Italy during World War II, he entered the United States Air Force as a Master Sergeant. Awarded a direct commission in 1952, he spent the balance of his career as a member of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, retiring as a Lt. Colonel. During his career, he was awarded the Bronze Star, an Army Commendation Medal, two Air Force Commendations Medals, and the Meritorious Service Medal amoung others. On September 8, 1944, Louis married Rosa Lee Smith of McAlester. Together, they had three children: Diana, Patty Sue, and Alan. They moved frequently during his 27 year military career, living on Air Force bases throughout the world and the United States. In 1971, Louis and Rosa Lee retired to Idabel and bought the family farm on which Louis was raised. He returned to college to receive a B.A. in Secondary Education from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1973. He then spent three years as a teacher in the Haworth schools while simultaneously operating a small cattle ranch. He was a charter member of the McCurtain County Historical Society and served a total of 13 years as the society's president including personally overseeing and restoring the Barnes-Stevenson house. He also served for a period of time as a trustee of the Oklahoma Foundation for the Humanities. In 1981, he was appointed Deputy Executive Director of the Oklahoma Historical Society, serving in that capacity for four years, including a year helping administer the celebration of Oklahoma's Diamond Jubilee. He also served on the Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors before and after his tenure as Deputy Executive Director. He was appointed chairman of the state Archives and Records Commission by Gov. George Nigh in 1986, and he was reappointed to that position by Govs. Henry Bellmon and David Walters. He also served on the Oklahoma Historical Records Advisory Board, SonRay industries Board of Trusees, Little River Conservation District Board of Directors, Ouachita Mountains RC&D Association, Oklahoma Museums Association, and State Capitol Preservation Commission. He also stayed very active in the First United Methodist Church of Idabel. While serving with the Historical Society, he earned a Master's Degree in History from Central State University. He then taught as an adjunct instructor for Southeastern Oklahoma State University at Dunlap Center. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Pattie Sue, in 1952, and his devoted wife of 56 years in 2000. He was also preceded by his parents; sister, Martha Randolph, and brothers, Howard and Paul Coleman. He is survived by: wife, Ruth of Idabel; daughter, Diana and Jack Dillard of Cleburne, TX; son, Alan of Idabel; 2 brothers, Leonard Coleman of Idabel and Bobby Coleman of Okla. City; grandchildren, Heather Dillard, Jason and Valerie Dillard, and Megan and Jeff Bryant, all of Arlington, TX; great-grandchildren, Madison and Cameron Dillard of Arlington, TX. The family will received friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 18, 2011 at Norwood-Nation Funeral Home. Services will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 19, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church in Idabel with Rev. David Mercer officiating. Interment will follow in Denison Cemetery |
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