Morris Dean Coleman was born April 23, 1931, in Glenoma, Wash., to Shade and Lilly (Vernon) Coleman. He passed away Feb. 25, 2020, in Centralia, Wash., after battling dementia for several years.
Morris was an avid fisherman and hunter. He enjoyed being in the outdoors with family and friends, and he was always ready for a lively game of cribbage. In 1951, he married Sharon Hefty. Their marriage was blessed with seven children. Sharon passed away in 1995.
Morris worked for many years as a logger in the woods around Morton. In September of 1978, Morris was named Fire Chief of the Morton Fire Department. He was especially proud of his service as Fire Chief when Mount St. Helens erupted May 18, 1980, and he was able to help his community through that tragedy. In 1996, Morris met and married Verna Bamford. He then acquired three stepchildren and their families.
Morris is survived by sons, Kevin (Rhonda), Gordon (Sheryl), Keith (Lynn) and Sean (Becky); daughters, MaryEllen (Travis) Holman and Amy (Rob) Hazen; and many, many grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by Sharon; his parents; two brothers; three sisters; son, Bruce (Cheryl Shondel); and daughter-in-law Becky, (Kevin).
Morris always had a special spot in his heart for children and youth, and they returned the sentiments to him. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Morton Fire Department Scholarship Fund as a way to help our community’s youth. Please mail your contribution to Lewis County District 4 Association Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 926, Morton, WA 98356. A memorial gathering will be held Saturday, March 28, 2020, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Morton Senior Center.
