PARKVILLE, MD. — A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated later in 2021 for Robert C. Coleman, Jr., a resident of Oak Crest Village, who died on April 1, 2021. Born in Indiana, PA he would add, “Jimmy Stewart’s hometown,” as he would introduce himself. Following graduation from the State Teachers College, Indiana, PA, now Indiana University of PA, he enlisted in the Navy and graduated from the Naval Officer Candidate School at Newport, RI. He served almost five years of active duty during the Korean War, aboard the U.S.S. Chickaskia.
While attending a service at Mission San Buenaventura in Ventura, CA, he met wife-to-be, Lou Ann Beacom. They married and came east in 1955. Bob joined the Baltimore County School System that year, serving as a teacher, assistant principal and mainly personnel administrator for thirty-four years.
Family was primary in his life–being involved in the lives of their six children was challenging and rewarding to Bob who was an only child. Camping vacations to multiple state and national parks provided many memories when the children were young. An active lifestyle was important to Bob, enjoying retirement playing golf and bicycling on the North Central Trail.
Religion was a guiding force throughout his life. Prior to Oak Crest, Bob was active at St. Joseph’s Church in Cockeysville where he was a choir member for twenty years and a parish council member. He was also active in the Catholic Community at Oak Crest. Singing enriched his retirement as he sang in barbershop choruses, church choirs and the Oak Crest Chorus.
He is predeceased by his loving wife, Lou Ann. Surviving are their two daughters, Julie of Annapolis, MD and Marisa of Old Lyme, CT; four sons, Brian of Jarrettsville, MD, Michael of Cancun, Mexico, Christopher of Del Ray Beach, FL, and Daniel of West Chester, PA and nine grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Oak Crest Benevolent Care Fund, 8800 Walther Blvd., Parkville, MD 21234.