of Little Rock, AR
November 30, 1933 - July 24, 2021
Harold M. Steelman, age 87, went to be with his Lord, July 24, 2021. He was born in Pine Bluff, AR, November 30, 1933, the son of Harry and Emma Steelman. He was a graduate of Pine Bluff High School where he played football for the Zebras. He also played at Little Rock Junior College, now UALR, and then transferred to the University of Arkansas, where he played on the legendary 1954 SWC Champion Razorback team that became known as the ''25 Little Pigs'' since there were only 25 players on the team. He became a football coach after graduating from the U of A, beginning at Texarkana High School, and included Lewisville, El Dorado, and then Arkansas A&M (now U of A Monticello). When Jimmy ''Red'' Parker, A&M's head coach, moved to The Citadel, he took Coach Steelman with him and from there they went on to Clemson. Coach Steelman moved on to Northeast Louisiana, where he was on John David Crow's staff. He later accepted the head coaching job at Arkansas Tech where he finally retired from coaching after six years at the helm. He completed his career in sports as the manager of War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock for 12 years.
After he retired from War Memorial, he initiated ''In their Words'' a project with AETN where he recorded interviews with over 100 WWII veterans to preserve their military experiences. He also donated his extensive military collection to the Vilonia Museum of Veterans and Military History in 2015. He also served the Arkansas Senate as Sergeant at Arms for several years. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and devoted his life to serving the Lord.
In 2011, he was inducted into the U of A Monticello Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2012, he received the President's Award from the U of A Little Rock.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn; his daughter, Sara Steelman, and his son, Hal Steelman. He is survived by three grandchildren; Jason Fields, of North Little Rock, Amy Reaves and her husband Jason of Bauxite, and Houston Steelman and his wife Jenny of Hammond, Louisiana; two great-grandsons, Tyler Fields and Evan Reaves; Brother-in-law, Bob Corley and wife, Chalona Corley of Arizona, also, 21 great-nephews, nieces, 9 nephews/nieces, and cousins.
Funeral service will be 1:00 pm, Thursday, July 29, 2021 at Calvary Baptist Church, Little Rock. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 pm, Wednesday at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers: Coach Harold ''Hal'' Steelman Memorial Scholarship at Lonoke High School, Calvary Baptist Church in Little Rock, or Wounded Warrior Project.
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38 Condolence(s)
Harold Thompson
Thursday, June 29, 2023
Coach Steelman was a great talented coach and a man that cared about people. He was a positive influence in so many lives in football and in life. Our paths first crossed in 1978 on the Northeast La. Univ. football team. Coach Steelman was our Defensive Coordinator. We had four shutouts that year on defense. He was our leader and had the ability to motivate people as all great coaches but he was special. He lived and coached as a good example and positive influence on people throughout his life of 87 years. He served God throughout his life and as I read his obituary today he accomplished so much even after retirement by being a good person and doing the right thing.
Thank you Coach and former teammates for all the hard work back in 1978 and 79.
Steve Marionneaux
Thursday, August 11, 2022
A fine Man and Coach and a fine Family! Was a privilege knowing him!!!
Danny Pringle
Friday, May 6, 2022
My ears are still ringing from those waps on my head from his hat. A very good man. RIP
Keith Roden
Monday, August 2, 2021
Coach Steelman recruited me from W. Hollywood, FL. If it wasn't for him I would not have attended The Citadel. Heck, I didn't even know what a Citadel was then. My parents and I respected him very much. He would always turn to the side when my mother would walk up to him and to say hello. While turned he would dig out a huge wade of chewing tobacco and throw it away before speaking to my mom. Like Norm Seabrooks I was able to thank him for giving me a chance while at Coach Parker's funeral.
Keith Roden
Class of 73 The Citadel
Bob and Beverly Rook
Thursday, July 29, 2021
We served as usher supervisors under “Coach†for the 49 years we have been there. Lot of great times and memories. Love and prayers to family.
Larry Standley
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Great coach and a better man.Coach Steelman recruited me out of high school to play a Monticello.I had the pleasure of playing and coaching against Coach Steelman. When Coach Steelman said have a seat, you didn't even look for a chair.
Donald Murry
Thursday, July 29, 2021
My prayer for Coach Steelman's Family as you remember and celebrate the life of a truly wonderful and godly man is that you feel the peace and comfort that only our Lord can bring.
I am so grateful to have had Coach Steelman in my life and the life of my family. What a privilege to have played under Coach, to have coached along side him, to have been close to his entire family, to be able to call him a lifelong friend, and to have him as a brother in Christ. In each of these relationships Coach Steelman taught me how to be a better person.
Coach will be remembered for his life filled with love and devotion for his family, his players, and his friends. Additionally, he will be remembered for his willingness to serve others, for the many selfless acts for anyone that he saw with a need, and who can forget that tireless work ethic. We will miss our friend, but will forever think of those special times we shared with him
God bless you all.
Ellis "Scooter" Register
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Coach was a great man that will truly be missed. Thanks for your friendship and respect you always showed. R.I.P.
Stacy Wiley
Thursday, July 29, 2021
It was an honor to meet and be with such a wonderful family. I am happy that Coach Steelman is with all his loved ones and our Heavenly Father. He will always be in our hearts at Hospice Comfort Care Center. Prayers and much love to Amy and family, Mike Steelman and family and Bob Corley.
Lewis & Kay Wray
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
We had the privilege of knowing Coach Steelman and Carolyn through several years and two different jobs for him! Lewis coached at Russellville High School while Coach Steelman was at Tech, then he got the job at War Memorial and we got to see him at all the games. He and Carolyn joined us tailgating for short visits often! Fine man and many pleasant memories. Our prayers are with the family.
Charlie Baker
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
Coach Steelman, you will always be remember by your Football Players from your years Coaching at The Citadel. Your love and devotion to the Game and more importantly to your Players taught us valuable lessons of life that we still practice to this day. We were fortunate to have you in our lives when we were young and impressionable because Coach you gave us a great example to live by.
God Bless your family. R.I.P. Coach Steelman.
Charlie Baker
The Citadel, Class of 1971
Mike Cartwright
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
My friend and former ATU college Head Football Coach Harold Steelman passed away this weekend at 87.
Harold Steelman was a really good man and for just over two years was like a father figure to me while I was far away from my own FL home in beautiful AR, and trying to find a way to pay for a college education playing football for a much needed scholarship.
I'll remember him always, "Practice like the best team in America. Go Wonderboys!"
- Coach Harold Steelman
God bless him, his loving family, and many friends!
Sincerely,
Mike Cartwright
Tampa, FL
Mobile 813-601-3581
ATU Wonderboy
1981-83
Tony Cicoria
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
Coach Steelman was a great man. I played for coach at The Citadel. He had a way of enlightening his players and getting them to play to their potential believing in them. I can still see him with a wad of tobacco in his cheek, his intensity, and that hat with the metal snap that liked to connect with my helmet on a regular basis urging me along. I can still hear him say,"let your instinct play for you"...it took me a while to finally understand what he meant. I treasure those memories. I can say with some certainty, he is in a much better place and only a veil away.
Jackson Major Zorn
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
What a coach, what a man. So glad we crossed paths during our time at The Citadel.
THOMAS C LEITNER
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
I played for Coach Steelman at The Citadel and consider him one of the best coaches and best human beings that I have known in my life. He was smart enough to treat each of his players differently to get the best and most production from each one. And he was always honest and fair and I truly loved the man!!!
Keith Jones
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
I had the pleasure of working with Coach many times during his stewardship of War Memorial Stadium. As mentioned by others, he had a wonderful sense of humor, got along with everyone, and made everyone feel welcome in his meetings. He will be missed
Pat Jones
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
We lost a very good man ! R.I.P. Coach Steelman
Bill Lawrence
Monday, July 26, 2021
I played 4 years under Coach at AR A&M. He was our dorm Dad and did bed check and put us to bed every night at 10:00 during the season. We were all close to Carolyn and the kids. We had him at our company Christmas party two years ago and all 100 people there enjoyed his stories. He was a great influence on so many Boll Weevil’s lives. Love you Coach.
Norman Seabrooks
Monday, July 26, 2021
I am so grateful for having the experience of playing football for your grandfather and only my recovery from a cardiac procedure a few weeks ago prevents me from attending his funeral. Not only was he a good coach, but he had the added benefit of being a thoroughly decent man who cared as much about me as he did my athletic ability. Three stories come to mind when I think of Coach Steelman, and each showed his humanity and decency. As the first African American athlete at the Citadel, I felt isolated alone those first few months. However, everyday after practice coach would make a point of walking and asking a simple question, “how are you doing biggun†Every time I heard those words, it lifted my spirits. As a result of the pressure I felt, my grades suffered terribly the first year. However, after finding my place at the institution, I turn my academics around and made the deans list. As I walked past his office shortly after the news was relayed to the coaching staff, he called me into his office and said, “nothing you will ever accomplish on or off the field will make me as proud as I am of what you have accomplished by making the Dean’s list. He was the coach to tell me that I had value beyond the football field. The third thing I remember was the day Red Parker handed out the Citadel rings to those who had earned enough credits to graduate on time. As he called my name, I felt two hands squeezing my shoulders. I turned around and it was an emotional coach giving me what constituted a hug among men in 1973. He meant a great del to me and I am so happy that I told him how much he meant to me as we shared a moment after Coach Parker’s funeral. I guess 50 years made a difference because we ended that conversation with a hug and a few tears. I loved that old man because in the words of Maya Angelou, “Long after people forget what you said to them or what you did for them, they will remember how you made them feelâ€. Your grandfather made me feel protected when I needed it the most and I loved him very much. I am so sorry for your loss of this very good man.
Rusty Holt
Monday, July 26, 2021
Inspirational coach and man who led by example. Seeing him usher when visiting his church while I was a cadet/player for the football team in the 70’s had a lasting impression on my life.
Marty Winstead
Monday, July 26, 2021
One of the truly honest people I have ever met…
Dependable voice of college sports!
Rest easy classmate of 52
Andy Traffanstedt
Monday, July 26, 2021
Worked with Coach Stillman for several years at War Memorial Stadium. He will be missed. Prayers for his family
Nelson Shepherd
Monday, July 26, 2021
What a legacy Coach Steelman has left. He influenced many young lives including mine. I was an O Lineman during the Crowe era at Northeast so I spent many hours with Coach. What a man! While he was managing War Memorial, he was able to venture over to Lake Providence on Friday nights to watch his son Hal coaching at Briarfield Academy. He would always look me up and he was so proud of Hal.
Rob Fox
Monday, July 26, 2021
I’ll never forget sitting behind the 3 coaches at Citadel Square Baptist Church when I was in high school, coaches steelman, Parker, and Murray they were so faithful. Signed my scholarship with your dad in 68 and he spoke at our sports banquet that year and there were so many stories and quips we’re still laughing and I have used those stories in my career! What a man!!!
Bill Buckner
Monday, July 26, 2021
I had the privilege to coach under Coach Steelman at NLU and at ATU.He was a great coach and an even better person. He had a great impact on a lot of lives ,mine included.Heaven just got even more blessed with Coach serving in heaven.
Nancy toland
Monday, July 26, 2021
Harold was stadium manager during the 47 years I worked at the stadium. Many memories
Tom Kamerling
Monday, July 26, 2021
Sad to hear of Coaches death. I did radio play by play for Coaches teams at Arkansas Tech. He was one of the finest gentlemen I ever met. On the field and off, he was a great inspiration and example.
Bill Utsey
Monday, July 26, 2021
I had the honor of playing under Coach Steelman, Coach Adams, and Coach Parker at The Citadel. I learned how to coach the game of football from the examples they set. Their impact upon me was huge. To say that I would not be where I am today without my time with these great men is an understatement. God blessed all of us at The Citadel with the leadership, guidance and examples of these coaches. RIP Coach Steelman, you did God's work for sure.
Lisa Steelman McGuyer
Monday, July 26, 2021
I count myself so blessed to have been a part of Uncle Harold’s family. I have so many wonderful memories of Christmases in Pine Bluff. I know there is a huge happy reunion in Heaven right now with him right in the middle of it all. Who knows… maybe they even have some Kroger fried chicken. 😊 Sending love and prayers to you all.
Frances Love
Monday, July 26, 2021
Steelman Family,
Mr. Steelman was so precious to all of us at the State and the Senate Halls will never be the same. Mr. Hall always had a big smile & a big hug for you. He will missed by so many because he was loved by so many. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Rodney Engard
Monday, July 26, 2021
Played under Coach at The Citadel! 68/69
Vicki Draper
Monday, July 26, 2021
I was saddened to hear that Coach Steelman passed away. He was a genuinely nice man and had a great sense of humor too. He will be missed.
E. Gay Mayfield
Monday, July 26, 2021
To Coach Steelman's Family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. But it is a great time to celebrate the life of such a wonderful and amazing person. I played under Coach Steelman at The Citadel, and it is hard for me to describe how much he was loved by his players. He made a profound difference in our young lives, and as we grew older, our love and appreciation grew for him.
He and Coach Dwight Adams will always be considered one of the most influential mentors in my life.
Rest in Peace dear soul and you may be gone but NEVER forgotten.
With GREAT Sympathy, Gay Mayfield
Kenny Roberts
Monday, July 26, 2021
All our prayers, thoughts, and thanks to his family. He was a fine man and great coach. Blessed to have known him.
Mark Pickett
Monday, July 26, 2021
Hello, I’m so sorry to hear about Coach Steelman passing away. I played football at NLU when your Grandfather was on the staff there. While he was not my position coach , I was a witness to many days of him practicing his craft with the D-line. He was a good ,fair man that treated his players with respect while simultaneously pushing them beyond their limit. Our world will certainly miss Coach Steelman and his kind. I will keep his family in prayer.
Robert Lowe
Monday, July 26, 2021
He will be missed byvdo many because he helped so many.
Mark Pickett
Monday, July 26, 2021
Hello, I’m so sorry to hear about Coach Steelman passing away. I played football at NLU when your Grandfather was on the staff there. While he was not my position coach , I was a witness to many days of him practicing his craft with the D-line. He was a good ,fair man that treated his players with respect while simultaneously pushing them beyond their limit. Our world will certainly miss Coach Steelman and his kind. I will keep his family in prayer.
Carla Farrer
Monday, July 26, 2021
We are so saddened to hear of the loss of Harold. He was such a wonderful, compassionate and caring person. I will always remember the fun and fellowship we had at the reunions Harold organized at War Memorial. May God give you all comfort and peace in the days ahead.