Obituary of Augustus David Coleman

Augustus David Coleman, known as “Gus” to family and friends was born on September 6, 1945 to Charles Wilson Coleman and Arlene (Howard) Coleman, in Marshall, Michigan. He was the second oldest child out of 6 boys. Augustus David Coleman (Gus) departed this life on Monday, April 9, 2018 at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Los Angeles, California.

On March 26, 1966, he married the love of his life, Lavon (Jones) Coleman to this union two children were born; David Lamont and Deon Dupree. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend.

He received his early childhood education through Albion Public Schools and graduated from Washington Gardener High School.  After high school he attended and earned degrees from Kellogg Community College, drafting school at Greer Technical Institute in Illinois, West Los Angeles College and California State University, Dominguez Hills he received a Bachelors Of Science Degree. In 1969 he worked for Albion Malleable Iron Company where he was promoted to the Engineering Dept. In 1972 he relocated to Los Angeles California and began working as a Mechanical Engineer at Ford Motor Company Rivera Plant, in Pico, California. He later worked at and was hired to test rockets at North American Rockwell Corporation.  Gus was promoted to The TRW Northrop Grumman the Aerospace Corporation Agency, Hughes Aircraft where he worked as an Engineer there also. He retired from Ingersoll-Dresser Pacific Pump Company. 

Augustus David Coleman (Gus) loved spending time with his family, he was an artist he loved painting and made and sold colleagues, he enjoyed roller-skating, dancing, very involved in sports with his grandchildren, he coached with his son Deon’s team football and basketball, he was a mentor and a Big Brother.  He went to the Million Man March with his son David. Gus could walk into a room and immediately transform it into a place you wanted to be.  He had boundless joy and an infectious smile and sense of humor. He was a deeply loving, devoted husband, father and grandfather and a complete family man. He was well loved by all who knew him, he left an unforgettable impression on the people he met and knew.

Augustus David Coleman (Gus) was proceeded in death by his parents Charlie and Arlene (Coleman) Whitney, parents in law John Wesley and Charlotte Odessa Jones, a son Nathaniel Sharp, two brothers, Bruce Michael Coleman, and Benny Whitney Jr., three sisters-in-law, Joanne Hayes, Loretta Whitney, and Sheila Coleman and a brother in law Charlie F Hayes Jr.

He leaves to cherish his memory a loving devoted wife of 52 years, Lavon Coleman of Los Angeles, California; 4 sons; David Lamont Coleman (Veronica), Deon Dupree Coleman (Natalie) of Los Angeles, California, James Steven Lucas (Felicia) of Battle Creek, MI and Maurice Jackson of Sheveport, Louisiana, grandchildren, Jewel Ann Burnett, Michael Devon Coleman, Marqueze Duane Coleman and David Lamont Coleman Jr. (Monty), 4 brothers, Charlie Coleman of Battle Creek, MI, Gordy Whitney of Jackson, Michigan and Freddie Whitney and Brian Coleman of Los Angeles, California; two sisters, Charmaine Coleman of Jackson, MI, Benita Whitney of Battle Creek, MI, a sister-in-law, Annetta Jones of Battle Creek, MI and two brothers-in-law Warren Jones of Battle Creek, MI and Gordon Jones of Shelbyville, MI along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.