A funeral service is 2 p.m. today at The First Baptist Church at 1750 N. Mountain St., in Carson City for Indian Hills resident and retired Carson City Fire Department Administrative Division Chief Christian Joseph "CJ" Coleman, who died Oct. 16, 2010, in a motorcycle accident.
Born in Redwood City, Calif., in 1951, he lived most of his life in Western Nevada. He volunteered for military service and served during the Vietnam War with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Chief Coleman earned many distinctive awards including two Bronze Star Medals for combat duty.
After being honorably discharged from the Army, he joined the Carson City Fire Department.
He met and married wife, Sue, in 1971. He retired from the fire department in 1997. He was a world class archer, hunter, master fisherman and a talented artist. He was an accomplished golfer and volunteered for some time as a golf marshal. He was riding with friends in a local rally to collect coats for a children's charity the day he died.
He was preceded in death by his son Scott Coleman, mother Edna Trager-Hone and brother David Coleman.
Chief Coleman is survived by his wife; daughters Cynthia Kannan and Camella Johnson; son-in-law Scott Johnson; father Alec Coleman; sisters Beth Lorenz and Teresa Croy; grandsons Christian, Joshua and Andrew; granddaughter Tera and another granddaughter on the way.
A reception dinner will follow the service. Flowers may be sent to FitzHenry's. Thank you to all who have showed their love and support.
