SR755: SR755 Coleman, Dr. Thomas L.; condolences

26 LC 129 1057 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.1 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens2 with the passing of Dr. Thomas L. Coleman on January 31, 2026; and3 WHEREAS, Dr. Thomas L. Coleman was born on July 28, 1945, in Gay, Georgia, a beloved4 son of AC and Virginia Coleman; and5 WHEREAS, he served as a guardian of this nation's freedom and l iberty with the United6 States Air Force, valiantly and courageously protecting his fel low Americans for over 257 years; and8 WHEREAS, following his military career, he devoted his professional life to public service9 in Georgia, including as the Chief of Staff to former DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer10 Burrell Ellis as well as more than 12 years with the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice,11 where he served as Chief Deputy Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of the Programs,12 Education and Youth Development Division; and13 S. R. 755 - 1 - 26 LC 129 1057 WHEREAS, Dr. Coleman was a former Director of the Governor’s Of fice of Highway14 Safety and served for more than a decade as a commissioner with the DeKalb County15 Housing Authority, as well as with the Housing Development Corp oration of DeKalb16 County; and 17 WHEREAS, he served as a board member of the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice,18 vice-chair of the Georgia Piedmont Technical College Board of D irectors, chaired the 4th19 Congressional District of Georgia Congressional Black Caucus Scholarship Committee, and20 served on numerous civic and community boards focused on education, youth development,21 housing, and public safety; and22 WHEREAS, Dr. Coleman’s lifelong commitment to service earned hi m numerous honors23 including, recognition as a DeKalb County History Maker in 2017 and again in 2026 by the24 DeKalb County Solicitor-General’s Office, a Lifetime Achievement Award presented during25 the administration of Joe Biden, and during the DeKalb County M artin Luther King Jr.26 Holiday Celebration of Service, Dr. Coleman was honored with th e Nathaniel Mosby27 Humanitarian Award; and28 WHEREAS, he gave inspiration to many through his high ideals, morals, and deep concern29 for his fellow citizens, and the devotion, patience, and understanding he demonstrated to his30 family and friends were admired by others; and31 WHEREAS, he was a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation32 for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness, and by the example he made of his life, he33 made this world a better place in which to live; and34 S. R. 755 - 2 - 26 LC 129 1057 WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Dr. Thomas L. Colema n will long be35 remembered for his love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who36 had the great fortune of knowing him.37 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body38 join in honoring the life and memory of Dr. Thomas L. Coleman and express their deepest39 and most sincere regret at his passing.40 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed41 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the family of Dr.42 Thomas L. Coleman.43 S. R. 755 - 3 -