Georgia General Assembly · Full text

SR 755: Coleman, Dr. Thomas L.; condolences

Enrolled version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action February 11, 2026 · Passed

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Senate Resolution 755

By: Senators Jones of the 10th, Anderson of the 43rd, Wicks of the 34th, Davenport of the 17th, Orrock of the 36th and others

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. Thomas L. Coleman was born on July 28, 1945, in Gay, Georgia, a beloved son of AC and Virginia Coleman; and

WHEREAS, he 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 over 25 years; and

WHEREAS, following his military career, he devoted his professional life to public service in Georgia, including as the 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 Programs, 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 served as a board member of the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, vice-chair of 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, recognition as a DeKalb County History Maker in 2017 and again in 2026 by the DeKalb County Solicitor-General’s Office, a Lifetime Achievement Award presented during the administration of Joe Biden, and during the DeKalb County Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration of Service, Dr. Coleman was honored with the Nathaniel Mosby Humanitarian Award; 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. Thomas L. 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 SENATE 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 Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the family of Dr. Thomas L. Coleman.