Dr. Curtis D. Coleman

May 10, 1934 - March 27, 2010

The funeral service for Dr. Curtis D. Coleman, 75, of Athens, will be at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, 2010, at First United Methodist Church, Athens. Officiating the service will be the Rev. Jimmy Bassham, the Rev. Dr. Glenn Conner, the Rev. Dr. Terry Greer, and the Rev. Dr. Robert White. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the church parlor. A private graveside service will be at the Athens City Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. Billy Gaither officiating. Dr. Coleman died Saturday, March 27, 2010, at home. He was born May 10, 1934, in Pensacola, Florida, to H. C. Coleman and Norine Crooke Coleman. Dr. Coleman was a graduate of Pensacola Junior College, Huntingdon College, Emory University, and Vanderbilt University. He was an ordained United Methodist minister serving churches in the Montgomery District of the Alabama-West Florida Conference before joining the faculty and staff of Athens College (now Athens State University) in 1966. He was Emeritus Dean and Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Athens State University. Dr. Coleman wrote a weekly column for The News Courier over the past several years. His book, Stop, Look, and Listen, is a compilation of many of these articles. Dr. Coleman was a past president of the Athens Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also a past president of the Athens-Limestone Chamber of Commerce and was chosen as the Citizen of the Year in 1998. He received the Outstanding Teaching Award from the ASU Alumni Association. Athens State University honored Dr. Coleman by dedicating its new entrance sign in his honor in 2004. Survivors include his wife, Jane Girvin Coleman, one son, Dr. Alan Wesley Coleman and wife Lisa, two daughters, Mary Kay Bullard and husband Greg, and Laura Coleman Armstrong, one brother Randy Coleman and wife Lynn, sister-in-law Emmie Coleman, six grandchildren, and a number of extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Lionel N. Coleman. Pallbearers will be Curt Grissom, Tom Murphy, Judge Jimmy Woodroof, Doug Gates, Sonny Henley, Mark Booco, David Christopher, and Dr. Marty Barnes. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Coleman Sunday School Class, Athens Rotary Club members, and Athens State University Faculty and Staff. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Limestone County, Athens State University Foundation or a charity of your choice.