Jerry Coleman
Jerry Lee Coleman, 86, widower of Elizabeth “Betty” Jane DeClerk Coleman, died on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Harrodsburg.
Born Jan. 12, 1939, in Randolph County, Arkansas, he was the son of the late Granville Carl and Nellie Augusta James Coleman.
He was a 1957 graduate of Pocahontas High School in Arkansas, was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in the 82nd Airborne, and served his country in the Reserves until the mid-eighties. He graduated from Southwest Missouri State University in 1978 and enjoyed a long career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. He worked in multiple positions and offices throughout Missouri and Kentucky, including serving as District Conservationist in Mercer County and Boyle County field offices from 1983 to 1997. He retired as Russell County District Conservationist in 2004 after 41 years of service with the USDA NRCS.
Jerry was a member of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, and a 4th degree member and a past District Deputy in the Knights of Columbus. He was an avid gardener and loved being outdoors in nature. He also loved volunteering in the community, especially serving the less fortunate and children’s services. In his younger years, he served as a Scout Master for the Boy Scouts of America. Jerry and Betty both were active members of the Friends of Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery in Jamestown and he served as the 2007 president. He also served as a volunteer with the Russell County Rescue Squad. He was honored as a Kentucky Colonel.
Survivors include: four sons, Michael Coleman of Harrodsburg, Daniel (Carol) Coleman of Marshfield, Missouri, Charles (Christine) Coleman of Cincinnati, Ohio, and David (Lisa) Coleman of Harrodsburg; three daughters, Georgia (Stuart) Grooms of Kansas City, Missouri, Susan (Mark) Willmott of Harrodsburg and Rose (Brian) Love of Dundonald, Scotland; 20 grandchildren, Kevin (Lorena) Grooms, Eric Grooms, Gabrielle (Ryan) Cobb, Gregory Coleman, Joshua (Savanna) Coleman, Rebecca (Michael) Hayes, Aaron and Hope Coleman, Mary, William, Anna, Catherine, Joseph, Caroline and Georgia Coleman, Grant Willmott, Loren Willmott (Devin) Carpenter, Jacob (McKenzie) Coleman, Luke (Maggie) Coleman and Eden Love; and five great-grandchildren, Sam and Alice Cobb, Charlotte Coleman, Arthur Hayes and Ruby on the way.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Geraldine C. Naumann; one brother-in-law, Donald Naumann; and one brother, James.
Funeral services will be a Catholic Mass held at St. Andrew Catholic Church at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, with Rev. Father Edwin Netlas officiating.
Pallbearers will be Grant Willmott, Jacob Coleman, Luke Coleman, William Coleman, Joe Coleman and Joshua Coleman. Honorary pallbearers will be grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Visitation 9 a.m. until the hour of service at the church.
Arrangements by Alexander & Royalty Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.alexanderandroyalty.com.
paid obit.
