Gerald Coleman

Gerald Wyman Coleman age 85 of Norman, passed away Thursday, March 22, 2018 at Brookdale Senior Living Center in Norman. Gerald was born April 6, 1932 in Lexington, Oklahoma. He was the eldest of two children born to Lester Vernon Coleman and Mary Delecia (Lairson) Coleman. Gerald grew up in Lexington and graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1950. The following year he joined the U. S. Army and proudly served his country for three years during the Korean Conflict. In 1952 he married Dorothy Irene Colwell and together they raised two daughters. Over the next twenty years, Gerald moved his family several times before settling in Noble and the Norman area in 1978. During those 20 years, they had lived in Lexington, California for a number of years, Norman, Ohio, Noble and finally made Norman their permanent home. Gerald had many jobs during his life. He started work helping build a railroad from here to Kansas and later got a job with Dolese Co. He also managed a Sherwin-Williams paint store in CA , and later was a mechanic and owned a few gas stations at different times - Gulf in Norman, OK, Texaco in Goshen, CA, Mobile in Santa Maria, CA. After selling the last gas station Gerald moved back to OK. In 1984 he went to work for the University of Oklahoma as a supervisor in the Paint Shop. Gerald retired from OU in 1994. After retiring, he and Dorothy enjoyed travelling to many different states and found South Dakota to be one of their favorites. Throughout his life, Gerald was an avid motorcyclist and always rode a Harley Davidson motorcycle. For over 15 years he went to Sturgis, South Dakota for the annual bike rally, and he was always able to talk someone into going with him. After Dorothy passed away in 2011, Gerald remarried a few years later, marrying Mary Bob McKiddy of Lexington. Together they attended the Noble Church of Christ and enjoyed travelling. Gerald will be remembered as a loving husband, a wonderful father and grandfather. He also was a special brother, uncle and friend. He was preceded in death by: Parents, Lester and Mary Coleman, First wife, Dorothy Coleman, Sister, Louise Arms; He is survived by: Wife, Mary McKiddy Coleman of the home in Norman. Two daughters, Rhoni Rasmussen and husband David of Napa, CA. Laurie Blanton and husband Jack of Norman, Two granddaughters, Morgan Rasmussen and husband Jay of Napa, CA Ashlie Blanton of Norman, OK. Several nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. The family would like to thank Brookdale Senior Living Center as well as Good Shepherd Hospice for the special care given to Gerald.