Roll Call Tribute

Published in (Fort Worth) Star-Telegram on Oct. 16, 2015

Roy L. Coleman Jr.(1922 - 2015)
Roy L. Coleman Jr., 92, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015, in Fort Worth. Graveside service: 11 a.m. Monday in Greenwood Memorial Park. Memorials: Those desiring, please make memorial contributions to The Foundation of First United Methodist Church, 800 W. Fifth St., Fort Worth, Texas 76102. Roy Coleman was a native of Dallas and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1940. He attended Texas A&M University where he received a B.S. degree in industrial engineering. He remained a proud Aggie throughout his life, serving as president of the Fort Worth A&M Club in 1983 and as director of the 12th Man Foundation for many years. Part of the A&M class of '44, called the War Class, he was inducted into the Army along with his entire class of peers at the end of his junior year, sent to OCS, then on to various assignments around the world. Mr. Coleman served in Europe as platoon commander with the 278th Combat Engineer Battalion where he was awarded three campaign medals: The Ardennes, the Rhineland and the Central Europe, along with the Victory Medal and a general's commendation. After the war, the Army sent him to Oxford University for advanced mathematical studies prior to his discharge. While training at Fort Robinson, Ark., in 1942, he met and married his wife and life partner, Betty Ann Proctor, a native of Greenville, S.C. In 1947, Mr. Coleman settled his family in Fort Worth, where his business career was always in the field of engineering. He served as president of the Fort Worth Professional Engineers in 1960 and was a founder and president of the Industrial Engineering Society. Most of all, he enjoyed the competition of the business world and remained active as principal owner and CEO of United Worth Hydrochem Corp. and Efficiency Dynamics Corp. Mr. Coleman firmly believed in balancing the material and spiritual needs of life. His activities at First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth included chairman of the Board of Trustees, chairman of the Administrative Board, and chairman of the Finance Committee. He also taught in the church school for many years. He served as a trustee of Harris Methodist Hospital for over eight years. Mr. Coleman was a board member of the Fort Worth Symphony and one of the founders of the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Fort Worth and served as its first president. He was the 1964 crusade chairman for the Tarrant County Cancer Society and president of the Child Guidance Clinic in 1962. He held memberships in Colonial Country Club and the Petroleum Club. Mr. Coleman always made sure he reserved time for family activities: birthday parties, backyard parties, Saturdays spent as a spectator for the grandchildren's participation in track, field hockey, dance and cheerleading competitions, all favorites. He will be missed more than words can convey. A special thank-you to the second floor staff at Trinity Terrace for their love and care. Roy was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Betty Ann Coleman. Survivors: Son, Dan Proctor Coleman and wife, Suzy; daughter, Susan Coleman Russell; grandchildren, Kirk Allen Coleman, Maggie Russell Baker and husband, Mark, of Houston and Suzanne Boyd Russell of Austin; and great-grandchildren, Carly, Campbell and Charlie Blue Coleman, Coleman and Clayton Baker.