Tom Coleman (Georgia politician)

J. Thomas "Tom" Coleman, Jr. (September 8, 1928 – June 4, 2014) was an American politician and businessman.

J. Thomas "Tom" Coleman, Jr
Member of the Georgia Senate
from the 1st district
In office
January, 1981 – January, 1995
Preceded byJohn R. Riley
Succeeded byEric Johnson
University System of Georgia Board of Regents
In office
1995–2000
Appointed byZell Miller
Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner
In office
June 6, 2000 – August 31, 2003
Appointed byRoy Barnes
Personal details
Born(1928-09-08)September 8, 1928
Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
DiedJune 4, 2014(2014-06-04) (aged 85)
Savannah, Georgia
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Mary
ChildrenCeleste Coleman Shearouse, Lynn Coleman Brown, Suzanne Coleman Cone, J. Thomas Coleman, III, James Patrick Coleman, Sr. and John Michael Coleman
Alma materGeorgia Institute of Technology
ProfessionConstruction Company Owner
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Branch/service United States Army
U.S. Army Reserve
RankCaptain

Early life and education

Tom Coleman was born in Savannah, Georgia, on September 8, 1928. He was a graduate of Benedictine Military School. Coleman received his bachelor's degree from Georgia Institute of Technology where he was captain of the football team. After graduation, Coleman stayed on at Georgia Tech as a physics teacher and football coach.[1] Coleman enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving as an infantry captain during the Korean conflict and, in later years, the U.S. Army Reserve.

Business and political careers

Coleman was the owner of Bonitz of Georgia, a construction company which he started in 1954, and where he remained as board chairman until his death.[2] Coleman began his political career as a Savannah City Council alderman during the Malcolm Maclean administration from 1962-1966. He was then elected Chairman of the Chatham County Commission, where he served from 1972-1976. During his term as Commission chairman, Coleman led the initiative to build the Chatham County Courthouse and jail. In 1980 Coleman was elected to the Georgia State Senate, and took office, representing District 1, in 1981.[3] He was elected to seven consecutive terms, serving a total of 14 years, until he stepping down in 1995. In the Senate, Coleman was Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee and a member of the Appropriations Committee for 12 years and member of Continuation Committee for ten years. In 1995, after leaving the Senate, Coleman was appointed by Governor Zell Miller to an at-large seat on the University System of Georgia Board of Regents. In the post he served as Vice Chair and later Chair of the Facilities and Real Estate Committee.[1] Coleman was appointed director of the Georgia Department of Transportation by Governor Roy Barnes, during a period of upheaval, and served from June 6, 2000, to August 31, 2003, extending into the Administration of Governor Sonny Perdue.[2][4][5]

Later years

Coleman, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease in his later years, died in his native Savannah on June 4, 2014 at the age of 85.

Legacy

The portion of I-95 in Chatham County, Georgia is named the Tom Coleman Highway.[2] The Courthouse in Chatham County is also named in his honor as the J. Tom Coleman Courthouse - Judicial Center [6]

Notes
  1. "A Resolution Acknowledging the Life and Accomplishments of Tom Coleman, Former Savannah Alderman, Chatham County Commission Chairman, State Senator, Georgia University System Regent, and DOT Commissioner, Who Passed Away on June 4, 2014". City Government Official Proceedings of City Council. June 12, 2014. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  2. Jan Skutch (June 4, 2014). "J. Tom Coleman, Savannah businessman, civic leader, dies". Savannah Now - Savannah Morning News. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  3. "Members of the General Assembly of Georgia - 136th Session - Term 1981-1982". State of Georgia. January 1981. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  4. J. Thomas Coleman, Jr. Archived 2014-07-14 at the Wayback Machine
  5. Jennifer Lifsey. "Savannah Mourns Loss of Honorable J. Tom Coleman". WTOC.com. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  6. . WTOC https://www.wtoc.com/story/26233219/chatham-county-courthouse-to-be-renamed-after-tom-coleman/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
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