Kenneth Clarence Coleman

Ken Coleman- Life & Love

June 20, 1947 – September 11, 2024

It is with fierce love and deep sorrow that we announce the passing of a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend, and most of all – our greatest inspiration, Kenneth Clarence Coleman.

Ken’s life and character was formed from a ripple effect of childhood events, resulting in a man with deep compassion, generosity, intelligence, and love. Growing up as an orphan who was moved from foster home to foster home, Ken created his own village and gathered his family and friends close to his heart. To him, there were no strangers, just a huge, extended family. Growing up with no material items, Ken was selfless and generous. He would give whatever he owned to someone in need, or to someone who simply “liked” a possession he had. Material things were just “things” and held no other significance than that. Growing up in poverty, Ken learned ingenuity and creativity because he couldn’t buy whatever he wanted. His ability to create anything with duct tape and household items were headshaking, but genius.

Because of who Ken was (and in our hearts, still is), he had a ripple effect on others. He opened his heart and soul for us all to see and experience and in doing so, influenced others. Whether philosophy, wisdom, art, acceptance, humor, or small acts of kindness, his legacy is that he instilled positivity in others to pass on.

Ken was introspective and indeed, presciently wrote his own eulogy when he drafted an “autobiography” for one of his grandchildren: “In my opinion, my primary character asset is lack of self-discipline. This allows me to dream; to hope; to keep on living…a ‘wishin, a ‘hopin, and a ‘dreamin’. And I really, really, like dreaming. I truly believe we, as humans, are only constrained by our imprints and if we were to not know any better, there are no limits to what we can do.”

Ken was preceded in death by his mother Lucille (Meredith) Coleman when he was five, father Kenneth H. Coleman when he was 14, sister Karen (Coleman) Forde when he was 21, son-in-law Alan Brian Denton, and grandson Darold Jacob Schnell.  He leaves his spirit behind to wife, Lisa (James) Coleman, daughters Keri-su Lillie (Steve), Jami Bang (Michael), and Tami Rasmussen (Roger) and all of the other “kids” he claimed either by marriage or “collection”. He has 12 direct grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Again, he probably has 50 others he claims and we embrace as his. Sadly, none of them are named “Kenith” or “Kenitha” as he openly wished for in his “autobiography”. His friends and extended family are numerous and would take a multitude of pages to capture them all.

Ken’s family and friends would like to thank the amazing and caring staff at Tishomingo Manor and Gentiva Hospice. He truly loved and was loved by them. They made the last year of his life joyful and meaningful. A memorial service will be set at a later date. Ludlam Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Kenneth Clarence Coleman. You may leave online condolences to the family at www.ludlamfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that you donate a book to your local library in his memory.

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