Jerry 'Coley' Coleman

Memorial services will be held for JERRY LEE "Coley" COLEMAN, 67, on Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 2pm at the First United Presbyterian Church in Torrington with Pastor Matt Gordon officiating. Jerry passed away on February 7, 2012 at the Cheyenne Medical Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming and cremation has taken place. A private family scattering of ashes will take place later this summer. In lieu of flowers, the family would request that memorials may be directed to either a Scholarship Fund located at U.S. Bank in Torrington for a Torrington High School student seeking higher education or to the Home Away from Home at Cheyenne, Wyoming. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Colyer Funeral Home and friends are invited to send condolences to the family online at www.colyerfuneralhome.com Jerry was born on July 28, 1944 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska the son of Robert and Mollie (Robertus) Coleman. He grew up and received his education at Mitchell, Nebraska; graduating Mitchell High School in 1962. He went on to attend Scottsbluff Junior College and then Chadron State College graduating in 1967 with a double major in Chemistry and Physics and a minor in Math. Jerry then landed a teaching position at Torrington High School and it was during this time that he met Sandy Boyd while on a "boys night out" and the couple began dating off and on while they both worked and she took a trip to Panama. On November 27, 1969 Jerry decided enough was enough and he married his "soul mate", Sandy. The couple then lived in Morrill, Nebraska while Jerry drove back and forth to Torrington High School. In 1970 Jerry received a "much sought after" National Science Foundation Grant for the University of Wyoming at Laramie. It was there that he received his Masters in Physics and Math. Jerry and Sandy then moved to Red Lodge, Montana where Jerry taught for one school term. The Montana harsh winters sent them packing to Sheridan, Wyoming and Jerry taught at the high school there and was one of the wrestling coaches until 1983. At this time the couple returned to Torrington, Wyoming where Jerry once again joined the Torrington High School teaching staff and began his 22 year dedication to students, forming teacher-student bonds that would last a lifetime. Jerry retired from THS in 2005 and went on to serve as the Quality Assurance Chemist at Holly Sugar for two years. He was then approached by the school system to return to THS which he did 3/4 time for a year before fully retiring. During his teaching career, Jerry had taught over 5000 students; but impacted many more as coach and mentor. Jerry was many things to many people; but mostly a personality most folks loved and came to respect. He was quick-witted and ornery. He never knew a stranger and always one to come up with a good joke or prank. Jerry and some of his colleagues were the hi-light of many faculty dinner parties and retirement gatherings with over-the-top skits. He enjoyed retirement with his "Business Meetings" with the boys drinking coffee or playing pool. Jerry especially liked hunting and fishing. But his number one priority was spending time with his grandkids and the joy they brought him could not be matched. He loved them dearly. He is survived by his wife and soul mate, Sandy of Torrington; his son Chris (Jen) Coleman of Davis, CA; his daughter Stephanie (Brian) Hopkins of Casper, WY; a brother Richard (Mary) Coleman of Springfield, MO; four sisters, Delores Stirrett of Casper, WY; Neola (Ron) Reisig of Mitchell, NE; Karen (Cal) Coleman-Corcoran of Alva, FL; and Kathy (Rod) Schildt of Scottsbluff, NE; his five grandchildren, Jaiden and Brendan Hopkins of Casper; and Delaney, Justin, and Meghan Coleman all of California; a sister-in-law, Shirley Schultz ; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joan and Jerry Schneider; and numerous nieces and nephews, many of whom he was very close to. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Bob and Russ; two brothers-in-law, Bob Stirrett and Ed Schultz and a nephew, John Schultz.

Jerry 'Coley' Coleman

July 28, 1944 - February 7, 2012