Theodore John 'Ted' Coleman
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Theodore "Ted" Coleman passed away on Dec. 23, 2008, at Duke Raleigh Memorial Hospital surrounded by his loving wife of 50 years and children. His long, courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease came to an end with peace and dignity.
He was born and raised in Shawneetown to the late Evadeen and Charles Coleman. He married his high school sweetheart, Peggie Jo Sheets, the love of his life, on Dec. 26, 1958, with whom he had three children.
Ted is survived by Peggie; daughter, Cathy Jo and Ronnie Young of Huntersville, N.C., and their three sons, Jacob, Alex and Connor; daughter, Cheryl and Steve Modlin of Mill Spring, N.C., and their three children, Mitchel, John and Caley Jo; and by son, Kevin Coleman and wife, Sonia of Raleigh, N.C.; their four children, Victor married to Veronica, Catherin, Geovanny and Jose.
Over the years, he and Peggie were very active in Catholic Social Services and took in many children they considered their own, including Mark Borowski from Florida and Cheryl Gourley (married to David) and son Brian.
Ted graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale with a degree in design engineering. He went on to work for International Harvester and Case Industries before moving to North Carolina in 1969 to work for Omark Industries in Zebulon, N.C., where he was chief engineer for several years. He became president of the Zebulon Division for 12 years before retiring in 1997. He was a proud member of APA (American Pulpwood Association Inc.) for over 30 years and actively involved in the Junior Achievements of Raleigh, N.C.
For over 40 years, he has been a member of Saint Raphael Catholic Church where he was a Sunday School teacher for many years, a Knights of Columbus member, a lector, Eucharistic Minister, and a former member of the Parish Council.
His life passions were his wife, golf, family, golf, grandchildren, golf, bowling, golf, tennis, and golf. He also enjoyed the occasional round of golf. Ted also was a bit of a pool shark, having won enough to purchase an engagement ring for Peggie and help pay his way through college. Lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Ted and Peggie were sports enthusiasts and always had some kind of ballgame on. He was so proud of his family and adored his grandchildren.
Ted never knew a stranger and talked to everyone. After his Parkinson's diagnosis, he was determined to continue to do the things he loved and faced his disease with a truly positive attitude. Of course, none of this could have been possible without the loving support of Peggie, who cared for him throughout his life.
The family wishes to thank everyone who took the time to play a game of golf, bowl with him, or took the time to stop and help him when he needed it. We thank all of the wonderful people who took care of him, including all of his doctors and nurses, especially Doctor Keith Hull and Erica Marcom of Raleigh Neurology, the people of Buffalo Lanes where he loved to go and was a member of the senior bowling league, the staff of North Ridge Country Club, where he was a member for over 30 years and former club president, who gave him such special attention, and his Bible study group.
In addition to his immediate family he is survived by a sister, Beth (Bob) Jesse of Taylorville; and brother, Martin (Mary) Coleman of Belleville; and sister-in-law, Angie Coleman of Niceville, Fla. (married to his brother Denny who predeceased him) and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 26, 2008, at Cremation Society of the Carolinas, 2205 East Millbrook Road, Raleigh, N.C.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008, at Saint Raphael Catholic Church, 5801 Falls of the Neuse Road, Raleigh, N.C.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Parkinson's Association, 1501 N.W. 9th Ave./Bob Hope Road, Miami, Fla. 33136-1494 or Duke Home Care and Hospice, 4321 Medical Park Dr., Suite 101, Durham, N.C. 27704.
Arrangements are in the charge of Cremation Society of the Carolinas in Raleigh.
Online condolences may be made at www.cremnc.com