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.