Stuart Sinclair Coleman of Brownwood died Monday, June 2nd at his home. Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, June 5th at First United Methodist Church in Brownwood. His body will be cremated, and a family burial will be held at a later date. Heartland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Coleman’s lifetime of service to the Brownwood area, as well as to the entire state, will continue to benefit citizens for decades to come. He was an integral part of every major civic endeavor in Brownwood since 1960, either as a visible board member or as a quiet financial contributor — or both. He also served five years (1985-1990) on the Texas Water Development Board, appointed by Gov. Mark White; and six years (2002-2008) on the Texas Building and Procurement Commission, appointed by Gov. Rick Perry. He and his wife, Margaret T. Coleman, were honored in 1999 by the naming of the new Depot Plaza in Brownwood in their honor. At the time, members of the Brownwood Civic Improvement Foundation board said that project, as well as the extensive restoration of the Depot Civic and Community Center, could not have been possible without their support.
Mr. Coleman was born on Sept. 30, 1926, in Brownwood to Erva Sinclair Coleman and Cheslie Coleman, who preceded him in death. He attended Brownwood schools and joined the Army when he was 18, serving during World War II. After an honorable discharge, he returned to Brownwood to help his father in farming. Later, he was in the used car business. He was married to Margaret Turner, and they have one daughter.In 1956, he and his wife founded Coleman Distributing Co., a wholesale beer distributor, and operated it for 56 years before selling the company in 2008. He was also active in the oil business.
Mr. Coleman spent much of his time in the civic and political arena. It has been said, “If it is good for the community or if it would benefit someone less fortunate, you will find Stuart Coleman’s presence and money behind it.” When he received the 1994 Distinguished Service Award from the Brown County Chamber of Commerce, presenters said, “Stuart Coleman is a behind-the-scenes person who really does not want credit.”
He found particular delight in helping young people get their college education.
He served on numerous local and state boards, serving as chairman or vice-chairman of most of them, including the Brownwood Chamber of Commerce, Brownwood Economic Development Corporation, Brownwood Regional Medical Center, the Wholesale Beer Distributors of Texas, the Brownwood Industrial Foundation, Brownwood Airport Board, and the Brown County Water Improvement District No. 1. Until recently, he had continued to serve on the Brown County water board, the industrial foundation, the airport board and the J.R. Beadel Central Texas Foundation.
In March 2014, the water district honored him for his decades of service to the community and the state. He was first elected to the county’s water district in 1960, and his service on that board spanned six decades. In addition to serving on the Texas Water Development Board, Mr. Coleman held two terms as a member of the Region F Texas Water Planning Group. He was chairman of the Brown County Water Improvement District board from 1976 to 1985. In 1990, the mayor declared “Stuart Coleman Day” in recognition of his then 30 years of service in the area of water development. He went on to serve on the local water board until December 2013, when he resigned due to failing health.
His honors include the Team Brownwood Distinguished Industrial Service Award (1991), the first Brownwood Chamber of Commerce Pioneer Award for Continuous Service (2000), and the first Groner Pitts Lifetime Achievement Award (2007). The community’s preeminent honor bears the name of the late community cheerleader who was a close friend to Mr. Coleman, and the two frequently worked together as champions of multiple civic projects and promotions. Their signatures are featured on dozens of tongue-in-cheek “Brownwood Mafia” membership certificates presented to distinguished public officials and business leaders at the state and national levels who visited the city.
In 1960, Mr. Coleman was named Brownwood’s Outstanding Man Under 35, and in 1994 he was recognized as Brownwood’s Outstanding Man Over 40.
He has long been active in politics, having served as a delegate to many state and national conventions. He quietly promoted Brownwood community interests to elected and appointed officials at the state and national levels.
Mr. Coleman is survived by his wife, Margaret; a daughter, Ann McCrummen; two grandsons, Stephen and Andrew McCrummen; a brother, Jerry Coleman and wife Polly; and several cousins.
Memorials may be made to the donor’s favorite charity, or to First United Methodist Church, 2500 11th St., Brownwood, TX 76801, or to Good Samaritan Ministries, 305 Clark St., Brownwood, TX 76801.
Condolences can be offered to the family at heartlandfuneralhome.net.
