Gerald Lee Coleman
May 25, 1935 - June 3, 2024
Obituary
Gerald Lee Coleman, age 89, of Renton, Washington, passed away on June 3, 2024. He was surrounded by his loving family when he went to be with Jesus in his forever heavenly home.
Gerald, affectionately known as Jerry or Jeep, was born on May 25, 1935, in Moscow, Idaho to Jennie and Arthur Coleman. He was just three pounds when he was born and faced many health challenges throughout his life, but God faithfully strengthened and even miraculously healed him, so he could do the work the Lord set before him.
Jerry was the third of four children. His siblings were Byron Coleman, Dawn Darlene Warner, and Douglas Coleman. Although they grew up without much in the way of material possessions, they had loving parents, and the siblings enjoyed a close and fun-loving relationship all their lives.
His family moved from Moscow, Idaho to Washington when Jerry was just two years old. They would move several more times as his father changed jobs before finally settling in Allyn, WA in 1948.
On June 3, 1955, Jerry graduated from Irene S. Reed High School in Shelton, WA. He went on to take art classes at the University of Washington from May 1960 to December 1964.
In 1956 he started at The Boeing Company, where he would work for the next forty years. He was employed as a Model Maker, where he crafted not only model planes, but also clocks, plaques, and other mementos as retirement gifts.
Jerry was introduced to the love of his life, Mary Heckenlively, by mutual friends. They became fast friends, and Jerry quickly ingratiated himself with Mary’s family, especially her mother, Louise. Friendship blossomed into love, and they were married in Seattle on June 22, 1963, and were inseparable for the next sixty years.
Jerry and Mary lived in a small home in Beacon Hill, Seattle; it was there they welcomed their daughters Jeri and Lisa and their son, Jim. In 1967 they moved to Renton where their youngest son, Joe, was born. Jerry and Mary were also blessed to have their niece, Cheri Neighbors, live with and become an integral part of their family.
Jerry and Mary’s love branched out from their children to three precious sons-in-law (Wayne Wiser, Steve Menday, and Mike Neighbors) and two precious daughters-in-law (Sarah and Katie), twenty-six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Jerry and Mary loved nothing more than to spend time with their lively family.
Jerry treasured his family and spent his days showing that in words and in actions. He was fun-loving and always ready with a witty retort or a silly joke. He had a true artist’s heart and spent many years creating beautiful oil paintings and crafting wood furniture with which to bless his family.
Early on in their marriage, Jerry and Mary’s lives were transformed by Jesus. Jerry would go on to lead his mother and siblings to Jesus. He spent the rest of his life sharing the love of Jesus with everyone around him. He prayed diligently for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, praying over them with his last breaths.
Jerry is survived by his adoring wife Mary; daughters Jeri (Wayne) Wiser and Lisa (Steve) Menday; sons Jim (Sarah) Coleman and Joe (Katie) Coleman; niece Cheri (Mike) Neighbors; grandchildren Jackie (Tim), Caitlin (Luke), Janell, Andrew, Jenna, Jacob, Eric (Grace), Joanna, Jerusha (Matthew), Hudson (Brittney), Timothy (Krysten), Jerry, David, Daniel, Mary, Amy, Wesley, Kyle (Alyssa), and Josiah; and great-grandchildren Elliot, Evie, Ethan, Juniper, Everett, Reuben, and baby boy Coleman due in June.
To honor Jerry’s memory, a service will be held at Northwest Life Church, in Renton, WA, on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in Jerry’s name.
… as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1: 20-21
With love
So many fond memories of Jerry and the entire Coleman family. I was blessed to attend some of the church camps they had in their backyard when I was a child. Always had such a warm, welcoming smile. All my love to the family
What can I say…. but I loved them both. Jerry was so amazing and loving to all he came into contact with…. they were such an amazing couple. Jerry never seemed to get old…. such a great husband, father and an uncle to my girls. Love this whole family, they are such an inspiration of what a Christian family can be.
I’ll remember your relationship with Jesus, your artistic talent and your wonderful sense of humor. You will be missed and thought of often.
I see that same twinkle in your Uncle Jeeps eyes and grin that was always on his face whenever we had a family get together. I’m sure he is sharing that with Jesus right now! The picture of our ranch house and barn that Jeep painted decades ago. has been passed down to Todd and remains a a family touchstone reminding us of the blessings the Lord gave us.
Dave and I are the good friends that got Jeep and Mary together.
Dave grew up with Jeep, and I worked with Mary at the Telephone Company in Seattle on 3rd and Seneca. I am saddened to learn of Jeep’s passing, and I pray for Mary’s strength. I lost my husband, John, in January. Mary and Jerry came to our wedding in Bothell in 1999, and I have a good picture of them there. But because we are Christians, I know we will all be together again.
God Bless all of the Coleman family.
Just an added tidbit. We go way back with the Coleman/Heckenlively families. We knew Barney and Ethel, Darlene and Gordon, Doug and family and their parents. I was privileged to know all the Heckenlivelys.