Family will receive friends on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. until time of service 11:00 a.m. at Shiloh  Baptist Church, 720 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH 43203. Eastlawn Cemetery.

Alden Thoreau Coleman, Sr. was born on October 6, 1925, in Kimberley, West Virginia to the parents of the late Isaiah Edward Joseph Coleman and Emma Vaughn Coleman. As one of the 13 Children, at the age of 98 he departed this life on Friday May 5, 2024, in Columbus Ohio. In addition to his parents, Alden is preceded in death by his sisters, Arvonia Coleman, Martha Smith (William), Vesta Faulkner (George), and Carrie Woods; brothers, Clemet, Ulysses (Clara), Curtis (Katherine), Zane, Glenn, Robert, Isaiah Jr (Gala), Ronald (Sue); Ex-wife Aurlyne, and Daughter-in-law Carolyn. He is survived to cherish his memory wife Mary Janet, his sons; Alden II, Anthony (Paula) and Aaron; grandchildren; Andre (Dr. Karen), Anthony ll, Paige; step-grandchildren, Kevin Hart (April), Marcos Roberson Esq. (Stephanie), Matthew Roberson, Camille, Danielle Barnes Esq. (Victor); great-grandchildren; Ava, Phoenix, Cameron, Vivan, Jordan, Casey, Micheal, Maxwell, Sister-in-law: Margaret, Ellen, Hazel and Charesa Coleman; many nieces and nephews.

Senior Deacon Alden Coleman, Sr. worked in the coal mines in West Virginia until he graduated high school then moved to Columbus Ohio. He started college but upon getting married directed his efforts to acquiring a home for his family. He started working at North American Aviation and was quickly promoted to supervisor (first Black manager in the plant). He continued progressing up the levels of management to Plant Forman and achieved the Aviation Engineer title. He invented, designed, and developed jet airplane Jiggs for sealing and keeping jet-airplanes’ outer skins attached. This included the B-1 bomber, F-86,X-15 and Apollo Command & Service module, 2nd stage Saturn V rocket and space shuttle orbiter, high speed missiles. The State of Ohio Governor selected and appointed Dad to head a statewide taskforce on safety. Dad established minimum safety standards, published statewide policy, and implemented these in all state facilities. Even after retiring from Rockwell Aviation, they asked him to return to manage the entire Columbus plants, he did for several more years before retiring ago.