Darrel W Coleman

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Visitation Schedule
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
Saturday, September 12, 2020
4-6 pm
Service Schedule
Graveside Services
Morrison Cemetery
Rudy, AR  
Monday, September 14, 2020
11 am
Memorial Contributions
Pulaski Heights Baptist Church
2200 Kavanaugh Boulevard
Little Rock, AR  72205

Darrel W Coleman

of Little Rock, AR

July 22, 1934 - September 8, 2020

After a long, courageous battle with cancer, Darrel W. Coleman was called home to be with his Lord on September 8, 2020 at the age of 86. He was born on July 22, 1934 in a two-room house in the Hobbtown Community of Rudy, AR. He was the fifth child of ten born to Fred and Dorothy Coleman. Until he was thirteen, he lived in a house with no electricity, no running water and no indoor plumbing.

Darrel was a true southern gentleman. He never met a stranger and was kind, caring, and giving to friends, family, and to all those he met. He loved life - especially music, birds, sports, theatre, and gardening. As an avid Arkansas Razorback fan, he could give you a play by play recount on games going back to the 1950's. He and Kay, his wife of 54 years, loved entertaining at their house and opening their home to friends, family, and neighbors. Gifted with the ability to connect with anyone and find a common bond or common friends, Darrel's Arkansas roots run far and wide.

Darrel began his formal education in a one-room schoolhouse located in the Hobbtown Community. He later attended Rudy School and graduated from Alma High School in 1951. Darrel worked his way through college selling shoes for Lee's and Kinney Shoe stores in Ft. Smith, and for four summers he sold bibles and books door-to-door for the Southwestern Company of Nashville, TN. His hard work enabled him to attend Ouachita Baptist his freshman year and then the University of Arkansas where he received a BS in Business Administration in 1956. After serving two years in the Army as a Chaplain's Assistant at Ft. Polk, LA, he returned to the U of A receiving an MBA in 1962.

A committed Christian and active in Baptist life, he served as the director of the Baptist Student Union (BSU) at Arkansas A & M College (now UAM) in Monticello in 1959. In 1961, he became the director of the BSU at the various college campuses in Little Rock. A long-time member of Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, Darrel served as chairman of deacons, chaired various committees and taught Sunday School for over thirty years.

Darrel had a 24-year career with IBM as a sales representative and loved his IBM family. After ''retiring'' from IBM, Darrel became the Director of Operations at Youth Home, Inc., taught at UCA as an adjunct professor of business, served as director of marketing for Gartman Systems of Sheridan for 10 years and worked for Cardinal Systems of Parsons, TN.
Darrel was passionate about volunteer work. He volunteered at the Arkansas Chapter of Muscular Dystrophy, Arkansas Rice Depot, Friends of Arkansas Reading Services for the Blind, Oasis Renewal Center and the Morrison Cemetery Association. A committed father, Darrel put his family first and would do anything for his two children. He coached Little League Basketball at Penick Boys Club and coached football at the Highway 10 League, to name a few.

He was preceded in death by his father, Fred Coleman, his mother Dorothy Coleman , his sister, Edna Bonewell, and his beloved wife, Kay.

He is survived by his children, Kathy McLendon of Waco, TX, Greg Coleman and his wife, Danielle of Frisco, TX and eight grandchildren, Cole, Kate and Pierce McLendon; Emma, Lizzie and Jack Coleman, Palmer and Beatrice Tochterman. Three sisters: Doris Hall and her husband Jim of Rudy, AR, LaMatha Baker and her husband Marvin of Oklahoma City, OK, Gloria Rogers and her husband Richard of Cedarville, AR; four brothers, Rudolph Coleman and his wife Dean of Van Buren, AR, Ronnie Coleman and his wife Tawana of Fort Smith, AR, Charles Connie Coleman and his wife Susie of El Dorado, AR, Quince Coleman and his wife Denise of Van Buren, AR.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, Saturday, September 12, 2020 at Roller Chenal funeral home. We are complying with the Arkansas Department of Health guidelines and limiting indoor visitation attendance to 50 people at one time. All attendees must provide and wear their own masks before entering. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, September 14, 2020 at Morrison Cemetery in Crawford County. A memorial service will be held at Pulaski Heights Baptist Church at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, 2200 Kavanaugh Boulevard, Little Rock, AR 72205.

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14 Condolence(s)
rick anderson
little rock, AR
Liked
Thursday, September 17, 2020

Darrel , trained me at IBM, became a friend for last 50 years. I will miss him forever!

St. Vincent's Cardiac Rehab
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Monday, September 14, 2020

Darrel was an active member of St. Vincent's Cardiac Rehab program for many years. We could ALWAYS count on him to brighten the day by speaking to everybody and making the new members feel welcome. He enjoyed our annual Christmas dinner and was our "Christmas Carol" song leader. His smile, easy conversation, and cheerful personality will be VERY missed.
Our most sincere condolences,
St. Vincent's Cardiac Rehab staff
(Claudia, Brian, and Brenda)

Tom Anderson
Roland, AR
Liked
Saturday, September 12, 2020

Darrel was a great salesman and an even greater person. He was the true IBM gentleman. We had a lot of fun in our OPD days, skits, demos, float trips, ski trips. Darrel even did a play by play of the UCLA/AR basketball game from Colorado , listening to the radio broadcast via phone and relaying it to the All American IBM Ski Team. He will be missed by all, but, always remembered for his professionalism, kindness, and for the example he set for others. RIP Mr. Coleman, you were a faithful servant of the Lord.

Dennis
Springfield, MO
Liked
Friday, September 11, 2020

I was indeed saddened when I heard that Darrel had passed away.While he was my first cousin our relationship was more like that of my brother. All of his brothers and sisters were and are precious to me. On the other hand, his younger years, his work ethic, as well as places of employment were in parallel to mine. His military, while he was army - mine was navy. (Another proud fraternity). But I think my most important memories go back to that Utopia community of Hobbtown and the tie that will linger long in our hearts and minds. May the God of all comfort and peace be with all his family members. With much love and concern. Dennis and Carolyn Smith.

Cathy Moore
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Friday, September 11, 2020

I have lived across the street from the Colemans for about 20 years. I've been privileged to look out on their beautiful lawn and
garden and seasonal decorations. I also witnessed one especially
kind act: a group of young boys with a basketball rang their doorbell one afternoon and asked to play on their driveway where there was a goal. They got permission and had a great time playing for several days after. It was apparent that they needed a safe place and a kind example to see. I know this is only one of many acts of kindness by Mr. Coleman.
I'll miss him.






Nancy Russ
Little Rock,
Liked
Friday, September 11, 2020

Kathy and Greg
Darrel and Kay were truly “salt of the earth.” They had a gift for entertaining, and John and I were fortunate enough to enjoy their gracious hospitality on many occasions. They were a blessing to their church, to the community, and to all who knew them. Our prayers are with you in your grief.

Jennifer Weaver
Waco, TX
Liked
Thursday, September 10, 2020

Kathy & family,

Praying for you and your family during this time of loss. I would have loved to have known your dad! He sounds like such an amazing man. I know you are so proud of who he was as a man, dad, Christian example, and so many more things that were evident just by what I read! Love you, friend!

Kim Gartman
Sheridan, AR
Liked
Thursday, September 10, 2020

I had the privilege to work with Darrel for several years. While he taught me a great deal about marketing, he taught me so much more about conducting oneself as a gentleman. Only best wishes for peace and comfort for his family.

Johnna Goggans Novak
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Thursday, September 10, 2020

Kathy,
Your family has been on my mind and heart and in my prayers. May perpetual light shine upon your
Dad.

Sending you and your family my love,
Johnna

Sarah Rians, PHBC
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Thursday, September 10, 2020

Darrel was a member of our church and a special friend. The extended family are in my prayers.

May God Bless each of you as you celebrate his Christian Life and mourn his leaving us.

Dr and Mrs H F "Bunny" Brown, III
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Thursday, September 10, 2020

June and I were saddened to see the notice of the death of Darrel. We worked out together at CHI St Vincent Rehab. We enjoyed hearing him sing and joining him in singing some of the old classics. Between the group of us we could usually come up with the words of most songs - especially of the 50's and 60's.
We enjoyed discussing religious topics and it was obvious he was a devout Christian man. He has now seen the Face of GOD and is enjoying the dinner that has been prepared for him in heaven.
May he now Rest in Peace!
Dr H F "Bunny" and June Brown

Jacki Burnett-Stafford
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Thursday, September 10, 2020

Coleman Family, I was very sorry to hear of Darrel's passing. I had the pleasure of working with him for many years while he was with IBM. He was a very kind man and I know he will be missed. Prayers to you and your family.

Denise Coleman
Van Buren, AR
Liked
Wednesday, September 9, 2020

I was so very blessed to have married a fine man that grew up in such a beautiful family as the Coleman’s. They were all such hard working people and were raised by two amazing parents, Fred & Dorothy Coleman. It is a very loving family & Darrel was a southern gentleman for sure. I loved him and I will miss him very much.

Gloria Rogers
Cedarville, AR
Liked
Wednesday, September 9, 2020

A wonderful brother to us he helped out so much in my childhood days will miss him so much at our family gatherings