Joseph L. Coleman

Mr. Joe L. Coleman was born in Montgomery, AL to Joseph L. Coleman, Sr. and Frances Coleman on December 30, 1944. He attended Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, AL. Joe then attended Auburn University where he was an active member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He graduated from Auburn in 1968. He later met the love of his life, Linda Butler Coleman, through a fraternity brother. They were married on February 7, 1970 in Montgomery, AL. In 1972, they moved to Atlanta so Joe could work for Xerox Corporation where he handled the State Government accounts. He then became a Regional Sales Manager for several telecommunication companies including CXC Corp., GTE Telenet, and Siemens. For over twenty years, Joe was self-employed as an Executive Recruiter in the telecommunications industry. During this time, he wrote a book titled The Art of Effective Job Interviewing and also coached many young professionals with interviewing techniques.

Joe enjoyed many hobbies. He grew heirloom tomatoes in his garden and loved to go fishing at the family cabin at Lake Martin in AL. He was a member of the Amateur Radio GA Geritol Net. This group communicates daily to discuss many topics and Joe would often speak of his family and how much he loved them. He coached soccer for both of his daughters at Metro North Youth Soccer Association, where he also served on the Board of Directors.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Frances Coleman and his sister, Carol Barnett. He is survived by his beloved wife Linda B. Coleman of Marietta, GA; his daughters, Lauren Whitfield and her husband, Grant, of Sandy Springs, GA; and Ashley Gimbel and her husband, John, of Durham, NC; and granddaughter, Caroline Whitfield of Sandy Springs, GA. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Henry Barnett, Sr. of Fitzpatrick, AL; sister-in-law Laurice Kirkham and her husband, Bob, of Sweet Water, AL; brother-in-law Bill Butler and his wife, Barbara, of Dadeville, AL; nephews, Henry Barnett. Jr. and Michael Barnett of Fitzpatrick, AL and several other nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM January 5, 2017 at H.M. Patterson & Sons-Canton Hill, 1157 Old Canton Rd. Marietta, GA 30068.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM January 6, 2017 at Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church in Marietta, GA with the Rev. Kim McGarr officiating. Interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs, GA.

Pallbearers will be Richard Allen, Jon Abelson, Stan Ross, Henry Barnett, Michael Barnett, Grant Whitfield, John Gimbel and Bill Butler. Honorary Pallbearers will be Bob Kirkham and the members of the Amateur Radio group, GA Geritol Net.

The family appreciates flowers and/or donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org) in Joe's memory.

The family of Joe Coleman would like to offer their sincere thanks and gratitude to Kathy Newman of Marietta, GA; Dr. Eric Mininberg with Piedmont Cancer Institute and Dr. Michelle Jones with Atlanta ID Group for their care and dedication to Joe.