Georgia General Assembly · Full text

HR 1275: Coleman, Dr. Thomas L.; condolences

Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action February 6, 2026 · Passed

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House Resolution 1275

By: Representatives Crawford of the 89th, Mitchell of the 88th, Miller of the 62nd, and Kendrick of the 95th

A RESOLUTION

Honoring the life and memory of Dr. Thomas L. Coleman; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens with the passing of Dr. Thomas L. Coleman on January 31, 2026; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Coleman served as a guardian of this nation's freedom and liberty with the United States Air Force, valiantly and courageously protecting his fellow Americans for more than 25 years and serving in the Vietnam War; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Coleman had a long and devoted professional life of public service in Georgia, including as Chief of Staff to former DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Burrell Ellis as well as more than 12 years with the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, where he served as Chief Deputy Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of the Program's Education and Youth Development Division; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Coleman was a former Director of the Governor's Office of Highway Safety and served for more than a decade as a commissioner with the DeKalb County Housing Authority, as well as with the Housing Development Corporation of DeKalb County; and

WHEREAS, he also served as a board member of the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, vice-chaired the Georgia Piedmont Technical College Board of Directors, chaired the 4th Congressional District of Georgia Congressional Black Caucus Scholarship Committee, and served on numerous civic and community boards focused on education, youth development, housing, and public safety; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Coleman's lifelong commitment to service earned him numerous honors including a DeKalb County History Maker in 2017 and 2026, a Lifetime Achievement Award presented during the administration of Joe Biden, and the Nathaniel Mosby Humanitarian Award; and

WHEREAS, he was united in love and marriage to his wife, Dr. Beverly Harris Coleman, and was blessed with two remarkable children, Jeffery and Donna; and his wonderful grandsons; and

WHEREAS, he gave inspiration to many through his high ideals, morals, and deep concern for his fellow citizens, and the devotion, patience, and understanding he demonstrated to his family and friends were admired by others; and

WHEREAS, he was a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness, and by the example he made of his life, he made this world a better place in which to live; and

WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Dr. Coleman will long be remembered for his love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who had the great fortune of knowing him.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Dr. Thomas L. Coleman and express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the family of Dr. Thomas L. Coleman.