Joshua Coleman

Josh had a natural way of making people feel good about themselves. He approached everything with optimism, energy, and a contagious smile that anyone near him couldn’t help but catch.

In a decade when adventure fantasy films like Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark consumed the attention of men of all ages, Steven and Delana (Bowling) Coleman welcomed their second son, Joshua Aaron Coleman. Born at Kalamazoo’s Bronson Hospital on October 25, 1987, 8 lb. 4 oz. Josh entered the world ready for action. His smiley, bright-eyed face immediately became an unmistakable presence in the Coleman household.

Josh’s contagious smile and enthusiasm developed early on, as did his sense of determination. At the age of 13 months, Josh taught himself to climb over the side of his crib - a move that naturally startled his parents. The shock did not end there, however. Steven and Delana could not believe it when, one day, they caught diaper-bottomed Josh climbing up the drawer handles in the kitchen in effort to get himself on top of the counter. Unfortunately for the nerves of Steven and Delana, this was only the first of many, many attempts. It seemed that Josh liked to climb just about anything he could, a theory he proved the day he scaled the antenna on the side of the neighbor’s house! Of course, all the climbing made perfect sense to Josh. He wasn’t scared at all. He was more than ready to explore the world, ready to see and learn and experience all that he could.

By the time his fifth birthday rolled around, Josh had everyone in awe. They could just tell there was something wonderfully special about him. His mother knew this for certain, especially after Josh’s reaction to her miscarriage of a baby girl. While Delana lay at home recuperating, Josh walked up to her and said something surprising - that he wanted to accept Jesus into his life. Josh proceeded to walk into the next room, returning with a confident look upon his face. “Now I get to see her,” he told his mother, “because she is with Jesus.” Yes, Josh’s mother knew for certain that not every five-year-old was like Josh.

Josh’s magnetic personality meant that he was, not surprisingly, a natural entertainer. When one of his favorite shows, like Zorro, came on TV, he would run to his room and put on his cape and mask. Always one to “dress the part,” Josh loved make-believe and silliness because they never failed to make people laugh. Josh entered the third grade with his ever-present enthusiasm and smile, though it wasn’t long before something very strange began happening - he began losing his hair. Naturally concerned, Josh’s parents took him to the doctor. A few tests confirmed that Josh had Alopecia. Though the condition caused some of his classmates to tease and stare, Josh did not let it bother him. In fact, his diagnosis only strengthened his positive attitude, as well as his resolve to make the most of everything in his life. Josh’s wide, bright smile would not be denied.

In fifth grade Josh discovered his passion for playing soccer. He became so obsessed with the game that he played it year round. Whether Josh played on indoor or outdoor teams, it mattered little to him. He was in love with the challenge of the sport, as well as the teamwork it created. Josh was a great team player who supported and encouraged all his teammates. Needless to say, he was a coach’s dream come true. Josh had the talent, the heart, and the drive to give 110% every time – and he did. In addition to soccer, Josh played baseball at Eastwood and Parchment little leagues and jumped at any opportunity to go fishing. He could stay out on the lake all day, even if he didn’t catch a thing. Not surprisingly, Josh approached fishing with the same determination he brought to everything in his life.

Separated by a span of only five years, Josh and his two brothers grew very close over the years. Josh naturally looked up to his older brother Bill and wanted to do everything just like him – but with his own touch, of course. Josh even wrote a speech about Bill for one of his school projects. In it, he put into words his reasons why Bill was the ultimate role model and the ultimate big brother. Besides its intended aim, this exercise allowed Josh to recognizing his own role as older brother to Nicholas. It didn’t take Josh long to begin nurturing this role so that all three Coleman boys could share a close brotherhood, a bond that nothing would be able to break.

As a student at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Josh was into anything to do with Star Wars or Lord of the Rings. He was a huge fan of both fantasy series and collected everything from memorabilia to the movies themselves. He funded these purchases with the money he earned working for his father this summer where he did landscaping at Crest Construction and most recently was employed by Meijer's on Gull Road. Josh also worked to maintain his many friendships, an occupation he couldn’t have enjoyed more. It was Josh’s passion to befriend and support others. Many even saw him as a real “connector” who brought together good-hearted people like himself. He epitomized this with his envolvement with the youth group at Ressurrection Life Church where he was an important member that also particpated on the drama team.

No matter what name people gave to the roles Josh assumed, they were all part of his energetic, compassionate presence. He changed the courses of many lives, always for the better. All who knew Josh will remember the way he looked at the world – with continual optimism and a contagious smile.

Joshua Aaron Coleman died February 1, 2005 in Oshtemo Township. Learn more about Josh, view his Life Story Film, and visit with his family and friends on Friday (today) from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, Stadium Drive, West of 131. Services celebrating his life will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday at the Resurrection Life Church of Richland with Pastor Lee Cummings, officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park.

Joshua was preceded in death by his grandfathers, William Coleman and Ronald Sorrell. Surviving along with his parents are his 2 brothers, Bill and Nicholas Coleman of Kalamazoo, his great-grandfather, Coleman (Dorothy) Hudson of Franklin, OH, 2 grandmothers, Dolores Coleman of Kalamazoo, Shirley Sorrell of Kalamazoo, his grandfather Oscar Bowling of Hickory, NC, 7 aunts and uncles, Diane (Stephen Drake) Coleman of Bensenville, IL, Denise (Paul) Hogue of Sarasota, FL, David (Ruth) Coleman of Kalamazoo, Cathy Morrison of Paw Paw, Jean Coleman of Kalamazoo, Micheal (Beth) Bowling of Kalamazoo, Jeff (Diane)Bowling of Portage, 15 cousins; Chris, Chad and Joey Lynn Hogue, Eric and Ryan Coleman, Jonathon, Katelynn Morrison, Aimee (Joe) Rhea, Mike, April, Jessy, Becky, Bethany, Ashley and Kristine Bowling and several great aunts and uncles.

Please visit Josh’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory, order flowers, or make a memorial contribution to Resurrection Life Church of Richland Youth Fund or Kalamazoo Youth for Christ.