F. Herman Coleman Jr.

F. Herman Coleman Jr. died Friday evening, May 28, 2004, with his family at his side. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 1 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Waco with burial following at Oakwood Cemetery. The Rev. Roland Timberlake and the Rev. Frank Mangum will be officiating. He was born Oct. 14, 1929, in Waxahachie to F. Herman Coleman and the former Jessie Gray McGill. The Coleman family were pioneers in Ellis County, Texas. He graduated from Waxahachie High School in 1946 and graduated from Baylor University in 1950. He also graduated from Southwest Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. After graduating, he began his banking career at the Dallas National Bank followed by additional experience at Citizens National Bank of Waxahachie. For two years he served as a National Bank Examiner for the United States Treasury Department in the Eleventh Federal Reserve Region. In 1956, he returned to Waco as cashier of National City Bank. In 1963, he was elected President. Then, as Chairman of the Board, the bank became known as the Texas National Bank of Waco and joined Texas Life Insurance Company in the construction of Texas Center located in downtown Waco at Ninth and Washington. in 1997, Texas National Bank was sold to Compass Bank where he continued to serve as Chairman until his retirement in 1999. He was known in the independent banking community serving as President of the Texas Independent Banker’s Association. He was one of six organizers and President of the Texas Independent Bank, the flagship bank for independent banks of Texas. In 1998, the Coleman family purchased the Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Buick, Pontiac and GMC dealership in Gatesville, now known as the Coleman Autoplex. He was the General Partner of the dealership and remained active in the business until his death. He recognized the importance of Texas State Technical College from its inception and was appointed by Governor Bill Clements to two four year terms as a regent during which he served as Chairman of the Board. More recently, he served as Chairman of the TSTC Development Board. He loved his adopted home of Waco and proudly served its betterment in many capacities. Recently, he was a member of the Board and Executive Committee of the Waco Industrial Foundation; Chairman of the Board of the Center for Occupational Research and Development; Member of the Salvation Army Advisory Committee; Member of the Board of the Texas High School Hall of Fame, Inc.; and Member of the Board of the Waco Business League. In 1991 he resigned as King of the Waco Cotton Palace Pageant. Additionally, he was the recipient of the Junior Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award in 1962; President of the Waco Kiwanis Club; President of Ridgewood Country Club; Member of the Development Counsel of Baylor University; Board Member and Treasurer of the Waco Chamber of Commerce; and Member of the Waco Rotary Club. He was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Waco serving three terms on the Vestry and on three different occasions, he served as Senior Warden. He was a Board Member and President of St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School. In his youth, he was a member of Central Presbyterian Church of Waxahachie. On Oct. 5, 1956, he married the former Sandra Mayfield of Waco. They are parents of two children. He enjoyed being with his many friends, golfing, playing cards, following Baylor University sports, and vacations with family and friends. His parents preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sandra Mayfield Coleman; son, William R. “Bill” Coleman and wife, Larie of Waco; daughter, Julie Ann Luedke and husband, David of San Marcos; three grandchildren, Cody Goains and Christopher Luedke of San Marcos and Emily Coleman of Waco; cousins, J.W. McLean and family of Frisco, Marjorie Becker and family of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., and Ann Allen and family of Waxahachie; and employee of 41 years, Evelyn Bryant. The family is indebted to his former administrative assistant, Pat Senger and caregiver, Melinda Garza. Pallbearers will be Fred Weldon, Bill Bailey, Donal Sharp, M.M. Key, Larry McLean, and Scott McLean. Honorary pallbearers will be Ted Getterman, Carey Hobbs, Dave Campbell, Dan Hill, and associates of the Coleman Autoplex. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be given to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church or Day School, the F. Herman Coleman Scholarship at TSTC, the Waco Montessori School, the Hospice Program of Waco, or the American Cancer Society. The family will be at 3201 Wooded Acres Drive. --