James Coleman, Jr.
70, passed away on January 3, 2013, after a massive stroke.
He was the beloved husband of Frederica Sanders Coleman; dear father of Dr. Chelsea Coleman (David) Watson; grandfather of Addie and Coleman Watson; and brother of Betty (Fred) Miller.
He was a 1960 graduate of McBride H.S. and a 1964 graduate of Rockhurst College. After a 26 year career at Fru-Con Corporation and serving as vice-president of Human Resources his last nine years, he retired. Following retirement, he worked for Black & Veatch for a short period. He was an avid reader and golf enthusiast.
Memorial Service: Saturday, January 12, 2013, 2 p.m., Lane Tabernacle CME Church, 910 N. Newstead Ave., St. Louis, MO. In lieu of flowers, donate to Arthritis Foundation www.arthritis.org . Please leave condolences and memories below.
So very sorry to learn about your loss. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers!
So very sorry to hear about Jim. I worked with him at Fru-Con for 23 years. He was always so nice to me. I remember when he gave me a key to the Fru-Con building when it was downtown because he and I were the only ones who came in early. He also helped me learn to operate the elevator. He will be missed! God be with his family and know he is waiting in heaven for them.
Jim was a person loved and admired by everyone. He was a man of great character. He was patient and kind and one of the greatest bosses and friend I will ever have.
Our prayers and thoughts are with Frederica and Chelsea.
Having worked at F-C with Jim all those years – I have nothing but good memories of him. Loved his smile. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Having worked with Jim for 10 years at Fru-Con brings back many wonderful memories. I remember how kind he was to people and what a great sense of humor he had. My sincere condolences to his family.
Jim’s passing is a loss to a lot of people but more so to his family and loved ones. He was a gentleman, professional and loving individual. I only had the opportunity to work with Fru-Con for 7 years during Jim’s tenure but I will never forget him.
God Bless
It is always hard to say “see you later” to our loved ones but inevitably necessary. You will miss Mr. Coleman in ways that you can’t imagine but God had other plans for him and we know that God never makes mistakes. The Bible Scripture that reads, “Absent from the body, present with the Lord” is more than enough and says it all. We know where Mr. Coleman is and I will continue to pray that you continue to keep this in mind while you go through the grieving process. God bless and keep you all because we understand that the Bible says “we do not grieve as those who have no hope”. Our hope is in Christ Jesus.
Dear Frederica and Family
Please accept my condolences on the loss of Jim.
I worked with Jim for many years at Fru-Con and I had a high regard for him as did all those he worked with.
God Bless him and all of his family.
Ken Rolwes
I am sorry to hear about your loss. Jim brought back old memories from Frucon days. Jim was very kind, friendly, and always had warm smile. My sincere thoughts and prayers are with you. With heartfelt condolences.
Khalid
So very sorry for your loss. Jim was not only a wonderful coworker, he was our friend. He touched so many hearts and lives at Fru-Con. He will be remembered fondly. He was always smiling and happy. Jim was always the first one at work every day – like 4:00 a.m. every day! My heart goes out to you and your family. You are all in my prayers. God bless you and may you find peace knowing that he helped so many others during his lifetime.
Jim was, without doubt, the best human resources professional I have ever met. He kept current with the constantly changing laws and regulations on employment relations. Jim was always available to listen to employees issues/complaints and to champion them with management when they were right and counsel them when they were wrong. But what made Jim truly great as a professional and as a friend was his wonderful smile and engaging personality. He will be missed by all. Len
Frederica & Chelsea:
I am not sure if you remember me, but I worked for Jim in my early 20’s (and now I am in my 50’s). He will ALWAYS be one of my favorite bosses. He became my mentor, my confidant, and my friend. Yes, he came to work at 4:00 a.m. every day, but what many people didn’t see is that he had put in a full day’s work by the time the rest of us started to arrive. I know because it would all be waiting for me when I arrived. By doing this, he was then able to make himself available for the rest of the day to all the employees and managers that needed his help, guidance and support. That is one of the reasons he was so loved….he was ALWAYS there for the people. And he loved both you and Chelsea dearly. He talked about you both often. He lit up when he mentioned you both. Chelsea….he was always sooo proud of you. I live in Atlanta now and I am unable to come to his memorial service. Just know I will be there in spirit. There is a saying by William Shakespeare, from Romeo and Juliet, that is how I will choose to remember Jim:
When he shall die,
Take him and cut him out into the sky,
And he shall make the face of heaven so bright,
That all the world will be in love with night.
Much love to you and your families at this time. With a grateful heart that I knew him, Brenda
My condolences and prayers to the Coleman Family
I had the pleasure of knowing Jim for many years at Fru-Con and shared in his passion for golf as one of his many golf buddies with the BBB group, especially on trips to Biloxi, MS and Gulf Shores, AL. He will be missed by all who new him.
I am sorry to here about Jim’s passing I worked at Fru-Con at the same time as Jim did. We all pulled in the same direction and enjoyed our work, we all are many of us played golf together whenever we could, we will all miss Jim whenever we play.
My dear “Freddie,’
It is very true that words are often inadequate to fully express our feelings and thoughts. That’s how I feel at this time when think,ing of James. My thoughts and prayers are with you for the loss of James. James was such a dear, kind person and I’ve always been so happy for you that the two of you found each other and were fortunate to spend so many years together as man and wife. It is a blessing for me that James came to our Holiday Open House in December and he and I had a wonderful conversation. I shall always remember him saying that he would not have missed the party for anything. He was all smiles and it was a true delight to be with him; I have a lasting fond memory.
You, Chelsea, and your family have my condolences and prayers.
Betty
Chelsea,
I’m so sorry to hear about your father. Although I did not know him, he sounds like he was a wonderful person and really left his mark in this world with so many people. Much sympathy to you and your family! Sincerely, Beth Wendling
Dear Frederica, Chelsea and Family,
Joyce and I have been traveling and that is why we were absent for the memorial service. We wanted you all to know how terribly saddened we were by the news of Jim’s passing. May the love, faith and strength of your family bonds help you get through this very difficult time in all of your lives.
God Bless,
Joyce & Jim Cockrell
To our dear Freddie and Chelsea:
We are very sorry and very sadden with the loss of James. He loved life and he loved you, Freddie and Chelsea, very much and he also loved his two grandchildren, Addie and Coleman. James was as genuine as his very broad smile and that is how we will remember him. He was a very friendly and outgoing person. We will miss him.
Joy and Terrell Walker and Family
I have so many plesant, fond and hear-twarming memories of my brother-in-law- James. But most of all I am glad to know he will continue to live in the heart and mind of so many. The impact and influence he deposited in this life will never die. It is my prayer that the Holy Spirit will escort you through the grieving process in such a way that your blessing of having had James for so long will lift your spirit and keep you with such an attitude of gratitude that the pain that you feel of missing him will be overtaken with joy. Know you are in my prayers as you make the adjustment to life, with the meories of James being a comforting aroma in your nostrils.
Love and prayers,
Fannie
Frederica
Sorry I didn’t get to Jim’s services but I didn’t hear of his passing until the services had been held.
I ran into Jim in the store Nd we had a great visit about the basketball days at McBride and Rockhurst Days. As you know he was proud of those days. So you know what that visit was like. Jim was a good person and We know he will be missed. Things will not be the same but they will get better. Our prayer is that God will keep you and Chelsea and her family in His loving and strong hands and give you all strength to remember all the times goods but more important the difference he made in the folks he touched.
If we can help you in anyway call us.
God bless.
Grace & Ivan James
P I ran into him in the store and we had a great visit.