Clifford “Gene” Coleman died on Jan. 13.

He was born on March 4, 1930, in Jonesboro, Ark., to Arthur D. and Quincy V. Coleman. He was the youngest of five children.

Coleman grew up on a farm where his father raised cotton. He entered the United States Army on July 27, 1948, and served in Germany.

After his discharge, Coleman moved to Burns to work in the lumber industry. He was employed by Edward Hines Lumber Co. and Snow Mountain Pine until his retirement on Jan. 1, 1993. He also worked at Tiller’s Market in the evenings and on the weekends until 1979.

He met his wife, Helen, in Burns and they were married on June 16, 1964, at the Assembly of God Church. The couple had two children, and Coleman also had three step-children.

After retirement Coleman spent his time with his wife, until her death in 1998. He then devoted his time to his children and grandchildren.

He took pride in everything he did and passed that on to his family.

Coleman is survived by his step-children Sandra Smith, of Fitzgerald, Ga., Barbara Payne of Redding, Calif., and Bill Cunningham, of Hines; children, Regina Griffith of New Plymouth, Idaho, and Brian Coleman, of Hines; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; niece, Carolyn Christensen of Burns; nephew, Jerry Coleman of Canby; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and wife, Helen.

Graveside services were held on Jan. 20, with a celebration of life at Harney County Nazarene Church.

Contributions in Coleman’s memory may be made to the Nazarene Church, in care of LaFollette’s Chapel, P.O. Box 488, Burns, OR 97720.