WILMINGTON — John William “Jack” Coleman, Jr. passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 17, 2023, at his residence. He was born in Greensboro, NC on December 1, 1933, to John William Coleman and Martha Cook Coleman. He loved Greensboro and Guilford County yet was proud of his family roots in Kentucky. He attended Guilford College and NC State University and served a two-year term in the US Army between colleges before graduating.
His strong work ethic carried him through three distinct business careers and endeavors. The first was in a prominent 15+ year retail banking career with Wachovia and The Bank of North Carolina in Greensboro. His second phase pivoted to a role of a key account sales executive for Blue Bell, Inc. until his retirement in 1998. Not one to fully retire, Jack began is third endeavor in the role of bookkeeper and head of “logistics, inventory, and delivery” for Linda S. Coleman Antiques, where he and Linda travelled far and wide throughout the US and Europe in search of classic English antiques and porcelain. He and Linda moved permanently to Wrightsville Beach during that phase, where he continued his social passion for hosting friends for parties and watching ACC ball games and cheering on the Wolfpack.
Jack’s sense of selflessness and kindness carried him throughout his life and with anyone he encountered. He committed himself to various volunteer opportunities throughout his life. In Greensboro he was active in the March of Dimes, The Greensboro Jaycees, Kiwanis, the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce and its “8 O’clock Club”, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He was a longstanding active member of West Market Street United Methodist Church while in Greensboro, as well as The Little Chapel on the Boardwalk and Wrightsville United Methodist Church upon retirement at Wrightsville Beach. He was a past member of The Greensboro Country Club, and a member of the Surf Club in Wrightsville Beach, NC.
Mr. Coleman is survived by his wife of 65 years, Linda Shew Coleman, his son John William “Bill” Coleman, III (wife, Suzanne), his grandson John William “Will” Coleman, IV (wife, Kathleen), and was proud to hold his great-grandson, John William “John” Coleman, V upon is birth this year. He was predeceased by two cherished daughters, Sally Cook Coleman and Julia Ann “Julie” Coleman, who remained in his heart always. He is also survived by his loving sister-in-law, Nancy Shew Segall (husband, Steve) of Wilmington and brother-in-law, Albert N. Shew (wife, Ginny) of Asheville, NC.
The family will receive friends at home, 3712-C Reston Court, Wilmington on Sunday, November 26 from 4 to 6 p.m. A graveside service will be held at New Garden Friends Cemetery in Greensboro, NC at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 28. The devoted kindness of caregiver, Deanna Gazaway, and Larry Williams (deceased), as well as countless others over the recent years will always be remembered by the Colemans.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Central Eastern Carolinas Chapter, at 7101 Creedmoor Road, Suite 130, Raleigh, NC 27613 or to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.