Walter "Buddy" Coleman

View Video Tribute A genuine Arkansas Hero has passed away. W.C. Buddy Coleman heard the final whistle, passing peacefully at his home surrounded by love. Buddy was a hero to so many people in the Dairy industry and the sports community. His generosity touched many lives and he was loved and cherished by literally thousands of friends and a large close family. The old quote, "He never met a stranger" was used over and over when referring to Buddy. A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Buddy was born and raised on the family dairy farm. Since 1862, Coleman Dairy has been operated by the Coleman family and has grown to be the leading dairy processing and distributing plant in the state. The dairy will celebrate its 150th year in 2012. After graduating from Little Rock High School, Louisiana State University and serving in the U.S. Air Force, Buddy returned home to the dairy business in 1953. In 1964, Buddy was named President of Coleman Dairy, Inc and in 1971 elected Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Along the way, his peers have recognized Buddy's talents as a leading dairyman in Arkansas as well as the United States. He served as President of Quality Chekd Dairy Products Association, an international dairy association providing consultation and assistance in all areas of dairy activities. He is past President of the Southern Association of Dairy Food Manufacturers and the Arkansas Dairy Products Association, a past board member of the National Dairy Council and as a member of the Governor's Advisory Committee to the Arkansas Grade "A" Milk Program. In addition to his profession as a dairyman, he is well known on the football field, having been a Southwest Conference Football Official for 26 years, working in over 250 college games and 15 bowl games, including two National Championships. He is an inductee and past President of Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and was President and a board member of numerous charitable and civic organizations; working actively with the Boy Scouts, Boy's Club and Little League Baseball. He was a over 50-year veteran, with a 42-year perfect attendance record in the Little Rock Downtown Kiwanis Club and a Chairman of Kiwanis Activities, Inc., which runs the Joseph Pfeifer Kiwanis Camp, and a former President and member of the Little Rock Executives Association. He is survived by his wife Carolynn, and four sons, Walt and wife Cynthia, Bob and wife Beverly, Charlie and wife Patti, Cherb and wife Connie, seven grandchildren, Bob, Jr., Walt, IV and wife Morgan, Turner and wife Anna, Courtney, Arden, Jacob and Jonathan and one great granddaughter, Ella Arden Coleman, and two nieces Tommie Lou Coleman and Linda Clements. Buddy is also survived by Carolynn's children, Angelynn Hardcastle and husband, Mike, Clay Crews, their children, Rebecca and Nicholas Hardcastle, Clare and Amanda Crews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Robbye Cooper Coleman and Carolynn's children, Elise and Jamie Crews. Memorials may be made to Joseph Pfeifer Kiwanis Camp, 5512 Ferndale Cut-Off Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72223 or donor's favorite charity. The funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday at St. James United Methodist Church, Little Rock to be followed by reception at the welcome center at the church. There will be a 2:00 p.m. committal service at Pinecrest Memorial Park. The pallbearers will be his grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers are Louie Schaufele, Oise Watson, Terry Wallace, Ronnie Underwood, Mel Rapp, Marc Lowrance, Dr. Earl Bellamy and The 1957 and 1959 American Legion Baseball State Championship Teams. The family will receive friends at his home 15 Cascades Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas all day Wednesday with a 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. visitation Wednesday at St. Mark's Episcopal Church Parish Hall, Little Rock. Funeral arrangements are by North Little Rock Funeral Home. Online obituary and guest registry at www.nlrfh.com.

Walter "Buddy" Coleman

August 31, 1928 - October 24, 2011