Jack Hughes Coleman

Jack Hughes Coleman, 88, passed quietly at his home on October 4th in Oklahoma City. Jack was born in Los Angeles, CA, in 1932 to Ruth and William Coleman. His family moved to Oklahoma City in the middle of a dust storm in 1945 where he attended Taft Jr. High and Classen High School. Jack went to OU, joined Phi Delta Theta, and earned a degree in Economics. In 1956, he joined the Air Force, was trained as a navigator, and achieved Captain's rank. After his tour of duty, Jack earned a law degree from OU and then worked as a law clerk for a Federal Judge in the Eastern District of Oklahoma in Muskogee. Later, he joined the Air Force Reserves and was appointed Judge Advocate General. Upon returning to Oklahoma City, Jack practiced law and then transitioned from law to commercial real estate management and development. He developed single-family housing in Yukon, apartments and duplexes in Oklahoma City and Stillwater, hotels in Oklahoma City and Silicon Valley, and other real estate projects and management. Jack was also involved in the banking industry in Oklahoma. As he moved from law to business, he completed an MBA from Oklahoma City University. Jack's Christian faith and patriotism were quiet but important to him. He was an avid reader and historian. Jack's passion was education. He helped several schools acquire computers, Smart Boards, and other equipment. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City, where he initiated the Dictionary Project in Oklahoma City. The goal of the Dictionary Project is to provide every third grader with a dictionary. Jack had a big personality and a big laugh. He is loved and missed. Jack is survived by his wife, Nancy, and his children Morgan Coleman; Kim Robbins and husband Peter; John Coleman and wife Lisa; Kent Coleman and wife Melissa; Kathryn Lyons and husband Dr. George Lyons; Easton Coleman and wife Claire; and stepdaughter, Rheic Bura and husband, Greg. Jack is also survived by 12 grandchildren: Daniel Robbins and wife Alyssa; Jason Robbins and fiancé, Jenny Slaver; Marcus and David Lyons; and Jonathan, Jessica, Jillian, Preston, Pierce, Theophilus, Barnabus, and Rhoda Coleman; and two great-granddaughters: Sloan & Naiya Robbins. Jack was preceded in death by his parents William & Ruth Coleman; brother, Bill Coleman; and sister, Barbara Mee. A memorial is scheduled for Saturday, October 17th at Smith & Kernke Funeral Homes at 11:00 a.m. Due to COVID, the service is by invitation only. The service can be viewed online by going to Jack's obituary page on www.smithandkernke.com and pressing the "View Funeral Service" button below Jack's obituary. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to City Rescue Mission. The family would like to thank the caregivers Gabriela & Frank Escalante, Silvia, Gloria, Ives, Marina, and Cheryl for their great care & love.