Maj. Gen. Richard “Dick” E. Coleman, Sr., retired US Army, 74, of Vicksburg, beloved husband and best friend of Charlbeth “Beth” (Ergood) for 51 years, passed away peacefully surrounded by the ones he laughed with, lived for and loved on April 16, 2018. He was a man who walked with God and served as a Deacon at Goodrum Baptist Church in Vicksburg.

General Coleman was born in Nevada, MO to Eva Pauline Simonin and Hugo Eldridge Coleman on January 7, 1944. Upon graduation from Dollarway High School in Pine Bluff, AR, he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army in 1965.

He served in all components of the Army including active duty, the Mississippi National Guard and the Army Reserve. He has commanded at the platoon, company, battalion, group and brigade level culminating in 38 years of service retiring in 2004 as the Commander of the 412th Theater Engineer Command in Vicksburg.

Throughout his distinguished military career, his awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit Medal, the Bronze Star Medal with Valor and two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Purple Heart Medal. He also earned the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Parachute Badge and was a recipient of the Silver Order of the de Fleury Medal.

General Coleman received a Masters Degree in Fish and Wildlife Ecology from Mississippi State University. He was a True Maroon Bulldog, but knew how to call the Hogs of Arkansas.

He was an avid fisherman and a major contributor in establishing the Bass Research Foundation. He retired as a Civil Engineer from Waterways Experiment Station in Vicksburg in 1996.

General Coleman was preceded in death by his mother and father; his sisters Carol Jean Lewis of Pine Bluff, AR and Paula Annette Smith of Batesville, AR; and his brother Robert Dean Coleman of Monticello, AR.

He is survived by his wife Beth; two sons Richard (Connie) Coleman and Robert (Amanda) Coleman both of Clinton; two daughters retired Lt. Col. Elizabeth “Missy” Vinson of Spring Hill, TN and Carol Coleman of Vicksburg; and eight granddaughters Laura, Rachel, Ellie, Becca, Sarah Grace, Caroline, Charlotte and Anastasia.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 23, 2018 from 4–6 p.m. with a service to follow at Glenwood Funeral Home, 145 US-80, Vicksburg, MS. 

Chaplain COL (Retired) Barry Henson will officiate with Rev. Tony Monk leading in prayer.  Speakers will be BG (Retired) David Weeks and Mr. Richard E. Coleman, Jr.. His remains will be interred with full military honors, at a later date, at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY at the convenience of the family.

Pallbearers for the service are Mr. Robert Morgan, CSM (Retired) Whitey Chambers,

CSM (Retired) Thom Perryman, CSM (Retired) David Huddleston, BG (Retired) Jimmy Fowler and COL (Retired) Tom Supier.  Honorary pallbearers are Mr. Jarrod Smith, MSG (Retired) James Reynolds, MSG (Retired) Michael Weaver, SGM (Retired) James Stanford, SGM (Retired) Lonnie Wooley, CMS (Retired) Leon Hood, COL (Retired) James Lawrence, COL (Retired) Joe Ledlow and BG (Retired) Eddie Chesnut.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.wondedwarriorproject.org or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.shop.stjude.org.