Palestine High School Alumni Association

11 / 15 / 1956  –  06 / 08 / 1976

Funeral services for James Patrick Coleman are set for 10 a.m. Thursday in the Bailey Memorial Chapel here with Rev. Bill Leedicker officiating.  Burial will be in the Pilgrim Cemetery.

Mr. Coleman was born November 15, 1956 in Indiana, son of Wade Elbert and Arlene Bussa Coleman.  He was a graduate of Palestine High School and served in the United  States Navy from November 15, 1973 to November 15, 1975.  He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Palestine.

Survivors in additiion to his parents include a sister, Mrs. Mary Ann Rutledge of Palestine; nephew, Scott Rutledge of Palestine; and grandmother, Mrs. Lula Coleman of Woodville.

Pallbearers will be Randy Sherrill, Edwin Frederick, Larry Batts, James L. Jenkins, John A. Jenkins and Elbert Lloyd Jenkins.

The family will receive condolence calls at the family residence.

James Patrick Coleman, 19, drowned in a boating accident at Circle R Lake east of Palestine late Tuesday afternoon.  Authorities said the victim was in a boat with two other young men – Rodney Oliver, 23 and Lonnie Harcrow, 22 – when the craft capsized.  Oliver and Harcrow swam to shore.

Coleman’s body was recovered by John Dyess and Grady Jeanes III, both members of the Anderson County Resue Unit, around 6:15 p.m.  Justice of the Peace Floyd Hassell returned an inquest verdict of death due to accidental drowning at the scene.

Source:  Palestine Herald Press