Robert Craig Coleman

1943. He grew up in Arlington Texas and resided here for most of his life,

with a few brief exceptions that included a very hot summer camp at

Shepherd Air Force Base and a year in Hattiesburg Mississippi.

Craig met his future wife, Gelia, at the age of 10 when she invited

him to a skating party. Their fathers were great friends and coworkers,

which led them to buy property in the Sangre de Cristo mountains near

Westcliffe Colorado. Gelia tragically lost her father in 1961, and Craig was

there to offer support during this sad time. They became almost

inseparable from that point forward. Craig graduated from Arlington High

school in 1962, and then attended, with Gelia, Arlington State College.

Next, he attended Texas Christian University where he obtained his

Master's degree. Craig and Gelia were married on June 17th 1966. Craig

and Gelia moved to Mississippi in 1968 but after living through hurricane

Camille in 1969 they decided to answer his father's request to come home

and run the family business.

Craig had a different vision for Coleman Metal Products than his

father. Craig became a Hot Springs Spas dealer which changed the model

of the company and afforded Craig and Gelia many treasured

opportunities to travel to places like Rio de Janeiro, Switzerland, Italy, New

Zealand and Australia.

In April 1973, Craig and Gelia were blessed for their first son, Clayton

Todd to come into their lives. His younger brother, Wesley Thomas joined

the family in November 1981. They enjoyed fishing, working on cars, and

trips to Colorado.

In 2005 Craig and Gelia found out they were going to be

grandparents. The family business had grown a great deal over the years

with help from many wonderful employees. However, two in particular

really bonded with Craig and shared the same passion for the business as

he did. Wanting to travel more with Gelia, and spend time with family,

Craig was able to sell the business to two long time employees, Craig

Englehardt and Robert Aguilar.

Craig spent the remainder of his years traveling with his wife and

family, as well as helping his two sons with their businesses.

Perhaps Craig’s most enjoyable times were the moments he spent in

the mountains. As kids, Craig and Gelia, along with his sister Tona and

many cousins spent much of their summers exploring and fishing. His love

of the Sangre de Cristo’s never waned and he always looked forward to

their yearly trips to Westcliffe.

Craig is survived by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 55 years,

Gelia, son C.T. and wife Lindsey, son Wes and wife Jennifer, grandsons

Creek and Laithan. He is preceded in death by his father Bill, mother Faye,

stepmother Ruth, and sister Tona.

A memorial service for Robert will be held Monday, November 1, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Moore Bowen Road Funeral Home, 4216 S. Bowen Rd., Arlington, TX 76016.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.moorebowenroad.com for the Coleman family.