Robert Coleman

Dr. Robert (Bob) B. Coleman went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 24th, 2022. Bob was the second child born to Robert and Cecil Coleman on October 28, 1936 in San Angelo, Texas. His father was a dairy farmer and his mother was a music teacher in Miles, Texas, where Bob lived with his family for the first 12 years of his life. At the tender age of 8, Bob felt the call of the Holy Spirit, accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, and was baptized in a stock tank at a Baptist revival camp meeting near Wingate, Texas.

In 1950, the family moved to a ranch about 3 miles east of San Saba, which they named The Coleman Crystal Springs Ranch. The ranch was unusual because the native rock house was built in 1857 straddling a cold‐water spring that ran from a bluff in the back yard into a swimming pool in the front yard. The ranch was sold in 1983 to actor Tommy Lee Jones.

Bob graduated from San Saba High School in 1955 and attended 7 different colleges in Texas during the next 20 years. He liked to say that he could just root for the winner of any Southwest Conference game. Bob received a Bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech in 1960, a Master of Education degree from Texas A&M in 1965, and a Doctor of Education degree from Baylor in 1975.

Bob began his career in education by teaching biology at Killeen High School in 1961. He later served as a principal and the Director of Federal Programs at Killeen ISD. He moved with his young family to Waco in 1967 to join the staff of the newly formed Education Service Center, Region XII. He started at the bottom of the staffing ladder and worked his way up to the position of Deputy Executive Director before he retired in 1990.

Bob met the love of his life, Jimmie Alexander, during his first year of teaching in Killeen. They were married on June 10, 1962 in Jimmie’s hometown of McGregor, Texas. They were blessed by the birth of two sons, Robert Craig in 1966 and James Clinton in 1972. The family joined the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) of Waco in 1971. Bob was very active in the Church for over 40 years. He sang in the choir, taught several Sunday School classes, served on the administrative board and numerous committees. He also played the guitar and led the singing at Sunday School and Methodist men’s prayer group meetings.

Bob taught himself to play the guitar when he was 12 and formed a county dance band while attending Texas Tech. He continued to play and sing at family gatherings and for personal pleasure through his working years. During 2007, Bob formed a five‐member band called The Coleman Cowboy Gospel Band. His band played about 10 times each month at churches, retirement homes, nursing homes, parties and festivals in Waco and surrounding communities. They played mostly “Old Time Gospel Songs” that older people could relate to and appreciate. Bob considered this as one of his greatest ministries.

Bob loved and served his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ while here on Earth and looked forward to continuing to serve Him in Heaven. He loved his family deeply as well as his Christian brothers and sisters here on Earth. A memorial service for Bob will be held on 1 p.m. Saturday, June 11 at Pecan Grove Funeral Home in Waco, Texas.

Bob is survived by his loving wife Jimmie Coleman, sons Robert Craig, James Clinton, and daughter‐in‐law Elizabeth. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Methodist men’s prayer group and the remaining members of The Coleman Cowboy Gospel Band. Private interment will be held at the San Saba City Cemetery.