At his request, no funeral services are planned for John M. Coleman, 89, of Lompoc, California. He has requested that his cremated remains be scattered at sea.

John was born in Victor, West Virginia on July 22, 1926 and was next to youngest of six children born to Nathan M. and Viola Dix Coleman. He graduated from Ansted High School in Ansted, West Virginia in 1944 and served in the Merchant Marines (Coast Guard) during World War II. He worked seven years with a metallurgical company in Alloy, West Virginia before moving to California to begin a 31 year career with the Air Force Civil Service at various sites in California including San Bernardino, Sacramento, Los Angeles and Vandenberg Air Force Base where he ended his civil service career as Deputy Director of Contracts at the Western Space Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base. After his retirement for the Air Force Civil Service in 1983, he served as Program Control Manager for Quintron Systems, Inc. of Santa Maria, California for 10 years before retiring again in 1992.

He helped in many community activities, including revision of the Lompoc City General Plan, director of the Lompoc Meals on Wheels Group and a Life Member of the Lompoc Elks Lodge #2274 where he served as Exalted Ruler in 1994-1995.
He is survived by his wife Nesbit Merrel Coleman (Betty) and daughters Sharon O'Neal (Daniel) of San Diego, CA, Rhonda Coleman (Ralph Emerson) of Bend, OR, grandchildren Katie O'Neal Sherrod (Bryan), Daniel G. O'Neal III (Ruby), and Michael O'Neal (Tara) and three great grandsons and three great granddaughters.