Thomas Miner Coleman

Thomas “Tommy” Miner Coleman went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 24, 2022. A beloved brother, uncle, and friend, he was 78 years old. Tommy was born in Ventura, California on April 24,1944, to Joseph Robert (J R) and Muriel Miner Coleman. Tommy was a happy, ebullient baby, and along with his sister, Charna Suzanne, was the joy of his parents’ lives. From early on, church was a regular and important part of Tommy’s life. Out of that community would develop a personal and vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ – an encounter which would be central to his life’s meaning and mission. Tommy attended Santa Paula High, graduating in 1964.

A few years later, Tommy joined Christ Faith Mission at Pisgah Home in Highland Park, Los Angeles, California. He arrived there in 1967, and immediately fell in love with life at the mission. He felt that he belonged - he felt at home. Tommy did anything and everything from driving the church bus, to running errands, to helping prepare Thanksgiving meals for the homeless. He even left his California roots for a number of years to serve as superintendent and host at the Haven of Rest Home Pisgah Retreat in Pikeville, Tennessee. Tommy’s most important role, however, was that of personal assistant to the mission’s leaders, the Reverend “Brother” Harold Smith and his wife Sarah, to whom Tommy became like a son. He considered the Smith family, including Jimmy, Vivian and Viola, his second family. His years with Pisgah - the “one place he was supposed to be” - were trans-formative and defining. They were the fulfillment of a calling. After the Smiths went to be with the Lord, and his time of faithful service there ended, Tommy returned to Santa Paula where he continued to help others. He provided live-in care for retired Presbyterian missionary and journalist, Earl Roe, for several years. He also worked in the kitchen at Thomas Aquinas College, as well as provided support and care for clients at the ARC of Santa Paula.

Tommy’s life of service flowed from his love for the Lord, and from a remarkably kind heart. Despite the fact that he faced challenges in life, he accepted them with grace and strength and spent his time and energy focusing not on himself but others. Tommy is remembered for his contagious smile, his devotion to God, his affection for people, and an uncanny ability to remember names, birthdays and almost any family history-related fact. He never met a stranger, never had anything but joy and kindness to spread. As evidence, if you were happy Tommy was happy. If you were sad, Tommy was sad. All this winsomeness and empathy stemmed from a basic kind-heartedness that is rare in today’s world.

Tommy enjoyed old cars, family history, personal journaling, classical music, opera, reading scripture, and watching Christian television. He was a prayer warrior who studied his Bible much. It was not uncommon to see him sitting for hours studying with his Bible open on his lap. During his later years in Santa Paula, he attended the First Presbyterian Church and Our Lady of Guadalupe church before becoming a member of Catalyst Church in Santa Paula. He also treasured the company of Sidney, his tabby/Abyssinian cat.

The final chapter of Tommy’s life proved to be physically challenging for him. The family wishes to acknowledge the kind and caring staff at Santa Paula Post-Acute Care Center (Vista Cove), as well as Dr. Gary Wikholm and Dr. Evelyn Dowell for providing many years of excellent care. Tommy was kind to the end. Tommy smiled to the end. He was a magnanimous soul who loved, was loved, and will be missed. Tommy is survived by his sister Suzanne Duff (Peter), niece Kelli Coles (David), nephew Kevin Umphfres (Kourtney), as well as many great nieces, nephews and cousins. His “adopted” family, Vivian Detiege, Viola Hoover, and his faithful best friend “hermano” Jose Arroyo. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, and “adopted” family James, Harold, and Sarah Smith.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, on Monday, June 6 at Funeraria Del Angel, 128 S. 8th St, Santa Paula. Interment at 12:00 PM at Santa Paula Cemetery. A reception will follow at Catalyst Church, Santa Paula, 241 N Mill St, Santa Paula.