By Joshua Benton
Blade Staff Writer
Page 16
FREMONT — James Coleman, a third-generation businessman here, died Monday at his home of cancer. He was 65.
Mr. Coleman lived his entire life in Fremont, where his family has owned and operated a heating and repair business for decades. His grandfather, Raymond Coleman, founded the company and passed it on to his son, Raymond, Jr.
When his grandfather died in 1981, the business, Ray Coleman Heating and Sheet Metal, was passed on to Mr. Coleman. Now, the business will be taken over by two of Mr. Coleman’s sons, Michael and James Coleman.
“It was very important to him that we keep the family business going,” his son Kent said.
His wife, Phyllis Coleman, said he truly enjoyed his work.
“He loved meeting with all the people,” she said. “He was happy to be able to serve them.”
The couple met when a mutual friend introduced them. After he served in the navy during the Korean War, they wed in 1955.
In his spare time, Mr. Coleman loved to bowl and had a 160 average. He enjoyed taking vacations, particularly to Naples, Fla.
His family said he was kind-hearted and always willing to help out around in any situation.
“If I ever had a problem around the house, I’d call him and he’d usually be able to work it out over the phone,” his son Kent said. “If not, he’d drive out and fix it.
“If he taught me one thing, it was ‘take care of your family.'”
Surviving are his wife, Phyllis; sons Michael, James, and Chris; daughter Jody Coleman; six grand children and two step grand children.
Services will be held tomorrow at 11 a.m. at Wonderly-Horvath Funeral Home, 425 East State St., Fremont, where the body will be between 3 and 5 p.m. and between 7 and 9 p.m. today. Burial will follow at the Oakwood Cemetery.
The family requests tributes be made to Hospice of Memorial Hospital, Fremont, and the Class of 1950 Scholarship Fund at Fremont Ross High School.