1928
Bertram
2007
Bertram E. Coleman
November 12, 1928 — July 15, 2007
Bertram E. Coleman, Jr.
We celebrate a wonderful life as we say farewell to Bert Coleman who passed away July 15, 2007. He was a great husband, devoted father, loving granddaddy and loyal friend. Bert was born on November 12, 1928, the only child of Bert and Edna Coleman. A lifelong resident of La Feria, he will be remembered for his honesty, dignity, and his joy of telling or hearing a good story.
His memory will be cherished by his wife of 53 years, Bernice Jones Coleman, children; Dr. Bertram E. “Bud” Coleman III of Longmont, CO., Bunny Benditz and husband David of The Woodlands, TX, Barbara “Bitsy” Reynolds and husband Stephen of Edinburg, TX, and grandchildren; Austin Benditz, and Sara, Caleb, Hannah and Leah Reynolds.
Bert graduated from La Feria High School in 1945. He began college at Schriner Institute and while there was privileged to march in the homecoming parade honoring Admiral Chester W. Nimitz in Fredericksburg. Continuing his education at the University of Texas, he graduated in 1950 with a Batchelor of Business Administration. Waukesha Engines in Houston hired Bert, later transfering him to Hobbs, New Mexico. Upon the death of his parents, he returned to La Feria to care for the family farm. Business was Bert’s love and in 1958 he began a career in life insurance which lasted the balance of his life. Bert furthered his business career by earning the designation of Chartered Life Underwriters (CLU) from the American College of Life Underwriters. In later years he expanded his business to include financial planning and investment advice.
Brother Bert leaves a huge void in Masonry in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Past Master of La Feria Lodge No. 1197 and of Mercedes No. 1010, he was District Deputy Grand Master for Past Grand Master Robert Dillard. He was a 33rd Scottish Rite Mason, Past Sovereign of South Texas Red Cross of Constantine, member of the York Rite Chapter (Council and Commandery), member of Masonic Rosicrucians, and holder of a 50 year certificate in the esoteric work. Bert was the first recipient of the Golden Trowel Award in La Feria. A 50 year member of the La Feria Chapter Order of the Eastern Star No. 732, he also served as Past Patron. Other civic accomplishments include being elected to serve 12 years on the La Feria Independent School Board of Trustees (1967 to 1978) and membership on the Board of Stewards at the First United Methodist Church of La Feria.
Bert Coleman leaves a legacy on the football field as a high school football official for 38 years from 1958 to 1996 and 10 years of officiating college football in both Texas and Mexico. He was involved with the Southwest Football Officials Association as chapter secretary, chapter president and state director. Awarded honorary life membership in the Valley chapter and in the Texas SFOA in 1997, he was inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 2003.
One of Bert’s passions was airplanes, especially World War II vintage. One of the first non-pilots allowed to join the newly formed Confederate Air Force in Mercedes in the early 1960’s, he remained an active member of the Headquarters Wing after the CAF moved to Harlingen. When HQ moved to Midland in 1991, Bert shifted his participation to the Rio Grand Valley Wing in Brownsville.
Bert’s other interests were scuba diving, good food, classical music, and his orchard. Even with all of his many outside involvements, Bert Coleman always made time for and truly valued these moments with his precious family and many wonderful friends.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 21, 2007 at 10:00am at the First United Methodist Church in La Feria with Rev. Ron Welborn officiating. A Masonic service will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be sent to the La Feria First United Methodist Church, the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home. You are invited to sign the guest book at www.buck-ashcraft.com.
“Not alone into the sunset, but into the company of friends who have gone before…”
We celebrate a wonderful life as we say farewell to Bert Coleman who passed away July 15, 2007. He was a great husband, devoted father, loving granddaddy and loyal friend. Bert was born on November 12, 1928, the only child of Bert and Edna Coleman. A lifelong resident of La Feria, he will be remembered for his honesty, dignity, and his joy of telling or hearing a good story.
His memory will be cherished by his wife of 53 years, Bernice Jones Coleman, children; Dr. Bertram E. “Bud” Coleman III of Longmont, CO., Bunny Benditz and husband David of The Woodlands, TX, Barbara “Bitsy” Reynolds and husband Stephen of Edinburg, TX, and grandchildren; Austin Benditz, and Sara, Caleb, Hannah and Leah Reynolds.
Bert graduated from La Feria High School in 1945. He began college at Schriner Institute and while there was privileged to march in the homecoming parade honoring Admiral Chester W. Nimitz in Fredericksburg. Continuing his education at the University of Texas, he graduated in 1950 with a Batchelor of Business Administration. Waukesha Engines in Houston hired Bert, later transfering him to Hobbs, New Mexico. Upon the death of his parents, he returned to La Feria to care for the family farm. Business was Bert’s love and in 1958 he began a career in life insurance which lasted the balance of his life. Bert furthered his business career by earning the designation of Chartered Life Underwriters (CLU) from the American College of Life Underwriters. In later years he expanded his business to include financial planning and investment advice.
Brother Bert leaves a huge void in Masonry in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Past Master of La Feria Lodge No. 1197 and of Mercedes No. 1010, he was District Deputy Grand Master for Past Grand Master Robert Dillard. He was a 33rd Scottish Rite Mason, Past Sovereign of South Texas Red Cross of Constantine, member of the York Rite Chapter (Council and Commandery), member of Masonic Rosicrucians, and holder of a 50 year certificate in the esoteric work. Bert was the first recipient of the Golden Trowel Award in La Feria. A 50 year member of the La Feria Chapter Order of the Eastern Star No. 732, he also served as Past Patron. Other civic accomplishments include being elected to serve 12 years on the La Feria Independent School Board of Trustees (1967 to 1978) and membership on the Board of Stewards at the First United Methodist Church of La Feria.
Bert Coleman leaves a legacy on the football field as a high school football official for 38 years from 1958 to 1996 and 10 years of officiating college football in both Texas and Mexico. He was involved with the Southwest Football Officials Association as chapter secretary, chapter president and state director. Awarded honorary life membership in the Valley chapter and in the Texas SFOA in 1997, he was inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 2003.
One of Bert’s passions was airplanes, especially World War II vintage. One of the first non-pilots allowed to join the newly formed Confederate Air Force in Mercedes in the early 1960’s, he remained an active member of the Headquarters Wing after the CAF moved to Harlingen. When HQ moved to Midland in 1991, Bert shifted his participation to the Rio Grand Valley Wing in Brownsville.
Bert’s other interests were scuba diving, good food, classical music, and his orchard. Even with all of his many outside involvements, Bert Coleman always made time for and truly valued these moments with his precious family and many wonderful friends.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 21, 2007 at 10:00am at the First United Methodist Church in La Feria with Rev. Ron Welborn officiating. A Masonic service will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be sent to the La Feria First United Methodist Church, the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home. You are invited to sign the guest book at www.buck-ashcraft.com.
“Not alone into the sunset, but into the company of friends who have gone before…”
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