Submitted by Patricia Keenan, July 30, 2009
Jeff Clinton “Pat” Coleman – died 16 July 2009 – Leon County Today
Funeral services for Jeff Clinton “Pat” Coleman, age 90, of Leona were held at 10 AM, Saturday, July 18th at the Walters Funeral Home in Centerville. Dr. Afzaal Firdous officiated and burial was in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery south of Centerville.
Born January 2, 1919 in Middleton, Texas (Leon County) to Benjamin and Jennie (McCoy) Coleman, Pat was a loving son, brother, husband, uncle, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He passed away on July 16, 2009 in Fairfield, Texas to join his loving wife, Agnes (Skains) Coleman who passed away in 1999. He is survived by four daughters and three sons-in-law, Patricia and Harold McLeod of Centerville, Linda and Pepper Harvell, Sr., Susan and Randall Coffman and Debbie Harris all of Leona; ten grandchildren: Pat Harvell, Pepper Harvell, Jr., Pam Franklin, Olivia McLeod, Jill McLeod, Jason McLeod and wife, Roxanne, Julie Ustruck and husband, Christopher, Lisa Golden and husband, David, Jeffrey Mc- Donald and Bobbie Harris; sixteen great grandchildren; two nieces, Rhonda Kinkead and “Daught” Milligan and two nephews, Homer Coleman and Sam Wayne Leathers.
Pat married his childhood sweetheart, Agnes Skains of Normangee. Together, they raised their four girls in Centerville and, later, settled in Leona. He worked for the Texas Department of Corrections for about 15 years and then worked in oilfield production. Pat was a charter member of the Centerville Masonic Lodge # 1291 and was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Centerville.
Pat’s grandparents were Benjamin and Anna E. (Toole) Coleman. They were the first generation of this Coleman family in Leon County, Texas. Presently, over six generations of Colemans live in Leon County. Pat’s parents lived in the Middleton Community until their deaths. They operated the Coleman Store and Post Office in Middleton. Pat grew up working in the store and, there, developed his work ethic. He graduated high school and attended A&M University. He ranched throughout his life and farming was his favorite hobby. Pat carried on the planting tradition of his family. He had the advantage of 250 years of the “planting expertise” of his forefathers. He was noted for raising some of the largest and most delicious watermelons in Leon County.
He adored his grandchildren and enjoyed many trips with them to the “M & M” Store. Pat enjoyed living a simple but purposeful life. This life included growing fruits and vegetables, growing cattle, hunting, fishing, building playhouses and being “grandpa” to his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Serving as pallbearers were Royce Keeling, Jason McLeod, Christopher Ustruck, Dave Golden, Jeffrey McDonald and Jerry Poindexter. Honorary pallbearers were Pepper Harvell, Sr., Harold McLeod, Randall Coffman, James Leon Stewart, John “Cat” Byrd, Dennis Turner and Benny Coleman.