Harry Lee Coleman, Jr., died peacefully on October 21, 2022 in North Platte, NE surrounded by his three sons, Randy, Dirk and Terry and close friends, Sue and Roy Reutzel of Paxton, NE.
Harry was born on May 29, 1925 in Sutherland, NE to Harry Lee Sr. and Velma Joyce (Purdy) Coleman. He grew up north of Paxton in the Sandhills and would continue to venture up to the original homestead in later years. He attended school in the Sandhills District 56 up to 6th grade, Sandhills District 50 for 7th and 8th, then Shelby, NE for 9th grade, and finally graduated from Sutherland High School in 1942. As one who grew up in those hills, he could vividly recall many stories of his long horse rides to school, whose homestead was just over the next hill or where exactly he first kissed his bride-to-be, Freida Mearle Miller. She was the love of his life, and they were married at the Glen Echo Baptist Church on June 19, 1949 amidst a lovely display of fragrant wild roses.
Harry's first job was with Crow Motors in Paxton where he learned auto mechanics. He also managed the Paxton Motel with Freida from 1955 to 1972. In 1948, he was hired as a laborer with the Nebraska Public Power District. He would later hold the titles of Truck Driver, CAT operator and in 1965 became a dragline operator which he maintained for the next 35 years until his retirement on March 1, 2000. Being in the dragline was a true joy to him as he could operate it with dexterity and true expertise. According to Harry, nothing was as peaceful as picking up rocks and smoothing them out on the banks of the NPPD irrigation canal. Harry was honored by NPPD after 52 years of service, retiring at the age of 75.
As a resident of Paxton, Harry was involved in community affairs, including sitting on the Paxton Town Board. He became a Christian at a tent revival and was a lifelong member of the Paxton Methodist Church where he taught adult Sunday School for many years. He also sat on the Paxton Consolidated School Board for a total of 8 years. His pride and joy were his Paxton home and property. His house was originally occupied by his grandfather, Francis Coleman. He loved taking care of the lawn, burning firewood in the wood stove, and the smell and beauty of the blue spruce trees that he had originally planted. He also took great pride in his cars and the fact that he never once received a traffic violation!
Harry's other pride and joy was his family. He never missed a sporting event or concert that one of his three boys participated in, including football, basketball and baseball. He also took his family on annual camping vacations every summer, traveling by car to almost every state. His favorite spots were the Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and other National Parks. The family had many adventures, including climbing to the top of Long’s Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, camping overnight, and hiking out the next day. These adventures were recorded with the over 10,000 35mm slide pictures that Harry took while on vacation - he was known to always have a camera on hand!
Harry saw an amazing amount of progress in his 97 years and was never afraid to embrace the newest technology, being it stereo records, compact discs, laptops, smart TVs, Amazon Alexa or smart phones. He loved listening to old time country music, especially Eddie Arnold and the Sons of the Pioneers. He could solve any mechanical problem and always had just the right tool to fix anything. Most of all, Harry will be missed as an upstanding man, full of integrity and honesty. His love of God, Country and Family have been passed down for 3 generations and will continue to be carried on by those that loved him most.
Survivors include his three sons, Randy (Norma) Coleman of Lincoln, NE, Dirk (Gloria) Coleman of Oveido, FL, and Terry (Cindy) Coleman of Omaha, NE; eight grandchildren, Andrea Coleman, Allison (Jeff) Aernie, Arica (Travis) Worsham; Philip (Casey) Coleman, Marshall (Pam) Coleman, and Felicia (Lamar) Coleman; Angela Coleman, Alicia (Geovany) Quezada, eight great-grandchildren; a sister, Virginia Crook of Colorado Springs, CO; a sister-in-law, Frances Stevens of Paxton, NE; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents and a granddaughter.
Memorials are designated to the Paxton United Methodist Church or the Paxton Volunteer Fire Department.
A Celebration of Life for Harry L. Coleman, Jr. will be held at 10:00 a.m. MDT on July 15, 2023, at the Paxton United Methodist Church in Paxton, NE. Inurnment will be held immediately following at the Paxton Cemetery with lunch provided at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Paxton Methodist Church or the Paxton Volunteer Fire Department. Arrangements are being handled by Adams & Swanson Funeral Home.