James Brooks Coman, Jr.

COMAN, James Brooks, Jr., passed away on August 7th, 2012, with his family by his side. A celebration of his life will be at 3:00 on Saturday, August 11th at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home, 10505 Atlanta Hwy. Visitation with the family will start at 2:00 - casual dress is suggested. Jim was born in Colon, Panama, on Aug. 6, 1920, and graduated from Cristobal High School in 1937. After attending the University of Texas, he joined the Army Air Corps in 1942 and graduated from pilot training in Enid, Ok. He went on to fly B-17’s with the 508th Heavy Bombardment Squadron for 8th AF at Polebrook, England. After the war he returned to Panama where he worked with the Panama Canal Company before rejoining the Air Force during the Korean conflict. He went on to serve in Mississippi, Colorado, Hawaii, Alabama, Panama, Vietnam, and Texas before retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1977 to the Montgomery area. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to fish, hunt, and play golf. He was also a voracious reader and wonderful story teller. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Frances, daughter Julie Butterfield (Hugh), sons Bill, Jim III (Linda), Mike (Cindy), and grandson Drew (Meghan). He is preceded in death by his youngest son Scott in May 2011. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation in his name to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or your favorite charity. Online condolences may be made at www.alabamaheritagefh.com

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