Joe Coleman

Joe Edwin Coleman was a super-smart, sensitive, thoughtful guy who sang a great bass line and entertained one and all with jokes and puns. He passed away on July 4, 2024, in Tomball, Texas, at the age of 84. Joe was born on October 15, 1939, to Douglas and Bernice Coleman in Lubbock, Texas. Though he started and ended life in Texas, he lived in many places in between. He grew up in Carlsbad, New Mexico, a true Caveman, graduating from Carlsbad High School in 1957 and even working as an electrician’s helper in the potash mines nearby. Moving back to Texas, he attended Abilene Christian College, then Lubbock Christian College, where he met Oleta Faye Blevins. Joe and Oleta were wed on December 29, 1959. They were happily married for over 64 years. Joe enlisted in the US Army in October 1961. The couple traveled from place to place and had two daughters along the way. Kathrese was born in May 1962 in Ayer, Massachusetts, while Joe was stationed at Fort Devens. Latricia was born in May 1964, while he was stationed at Homestead Air Force Base in Florida. Well-known for tinkering with radios and antennas, knobs, dials, wires, and all things of an electronic nature, Joe specialized in communications and the systems that support them. After being honorably discharged, Joe returned to New Mexico and worked at White Sands Missile Range before taking advantage of the G.I. Bill to go to New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. There, he earned his degree in Electronic Engineering, graduating in January 1970. The family moved back to Texas, starting in Amarillo, followed by several years in Kingsville and Beaumont, while Joe worked for the Federal Communications Commission as a caretaker of the airwaves. In Beaumont, he coached the teen puppeteers who performed every week in the church’s Sunday evening children’s program. In August 1981, the Colemans moved to San Antonio, Texas, where Joe worked at Southwest Research Institute as a Senior Research Engineer. The kids went off to college, and Joe and Oleta worked and worshiped at the Northwest Church of Christ, where Joe served as an elder. In 1985, Joe and Oleta moved back to New Mexico so Joe could be a research engineer at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Down the years, Joe was always a dedicated, serious student of the Scriptures, often serving as a teacher and speaker and doing his best for the Lord wherever he lived. Joe helped found the Pajarito Church of Christ in White Rock, New Mexico and served as a lay preacher there. He was very active in a local barbershop quartet and continued his involvement in HAM radio. The couple mastered driving in the ice and snow and enjoyed living in the mountains. After the Cerro Grande Fire in 2000, Joe and Oleta began making plans to retire and move closer to their kids and grandkids. In 2003, they moved to Tomball, Texas. Joe worked with the Spring Creek Church of Christ on Brown Road and sometimes taught evening services. He enjoyed the men’s fellowships and developed a reputation for telling jokes at their regular Tuesday breakfast meetings at Denny’s. Joe was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife, Oleta Faye Coleman; his children, Kathrese McKee (and husband, Lynn) and Latricia Coleman; his grandchildren, Sarah McKee Neely (and husband, Matt), Kelly McKee, Sorren McKee, James McKee, Michelle See, and Elijah Coleman; and his siblings, Judy Gerard (and husband, Frank), Janet Myers (and husband, Stephan), and Jeanne Forbes (and husband, Pat). “Papa Joe” will be remembered fondly by many other family members and friends. In accordance with his wishes, the interment of ashes will be at Magnolia Memorial Gardens, adjacent to Magnolia Funeral Home. The Addison family and staff of Magnolia Funeral Home extend condolence to Joe's family and friends during this difficult time.