Jeffrey William Coleman

Jeffrey William Coleman, 62, of Smithville, Missouri lost his long and courageous battle with cancer on Sunday, March 8, 2009 at his home surrounded by his loving, extended family. Jeff is survived by his wife of 43 years Linda (Lucy) Coleman; his son Michael and Kelly Coleman of Kansas City, MO; his daughter Amy Coleman and Max Hundley of Grandview, MO; his daughter Tressa Coleman of Salt Lake City, UT; his AFS son Buphindar (Bindy) Banwait and Rosy of Hilarys, WA Australia; his AFS daughter Frauke VonKlebelsberg and Stefan of Achberg, Germany; his grandchildren Logan, Jake, Lucy and Liam Coleman and Balveena Banwait; his Mother, Kay Coleman and her friend Fred Sortor of Clay Center, KS; his brother Jon Coleman and Rachel Jacobsohn of Chicago, IL; his brother Joel Coleman and Holly and their children, David, Daniel and Caitlin of Belgrade, MT; his sister-in-law Marilyn Mauldin of Salem, OR; his sister-in-law Janice Wooten and David of Salina, KS; his dear family friend Patricia Ortez of Horton, KS; his many aunts, uncles, nephews, cousins and countless friends.

Jeff was born in Abilene, KS and at the age of four moved to Clay Center, KS, where he attended public schools. He excelled in sports and won many state golf championships. He then attended Pittsburg State University and was a member of their golf team. Jeff and Lucy spent their early marriage living in Pittsburg. In 1968, they moved to Smithville, MO where they have remained.

Jeff was a lithographic artist in the Kansas City area his entire adult life. His last position was at Krug Litho Art, North Kansas City, where he was employed for 25 years. He retired four years ago and has spent his time playing golf, fishing on Smithville Lake, riding his Harley, and working at his favorite job at “Burton’s Bait and Tackle” in Smithville.

In the 1980’s and 1990’s, Jeff was a member of the band “Clay County Connection” where he was a very talented base player. Many people in the Kansas City area followed that band from place to place.

Jeff has traveled the world to three continents with his wife Lucy, and his favorite place of all was Kapalua Bay, Maui, where they went many times to celebrate and rejuvenate. In 2005, they took a 4,000 mile trip on his Harley and to them, which was the best trip of all, as there was no set itinerary, just a circle on a map. He enjoyed his grandson’s baseball games, as well as his newest group, the diapered ones, Lucy and Liam. His heart was big and open, he was dad to a lot of his children’s friends and he lived life as if every day was his last. He will be missed by all.

There were be a “Celebration of Life” at the Smithville American Legion, 2607 NE 92 Highway, Smithville, MO at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 12^th. Lunch will be served following the celebration. The family asks for no flowers or plants. Those wishing to make donations in Jeff’s memory please send to: Smithville Ministerial Alliance at Outreach Christian Church, 620 S. Commercial, Smithville, MO 64089, attention Bob Hovorka. Arrangements, Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Smithville.