Robert "Bob" Wayne Coleman

Robert (Bob) Wayne Coleman, 76, passed away on June 6th, leaving behind a family who loved him deeply and will miss him more than words can express.

Bob was born in Oakdale, Louisiana, grew up in Port Lavaca, Texas, and moved to Luling, Louisiana, during his high school years. He met the love of his life, Debbie, in college, and together they built a life centered on family, hard work, laughter, and love. They were married for 54 years.

For nearly 40 years, Bob worked for Pier 1 Imports, eventually serving as a Regional Manager. He was incredibly dedicated to his work and was respected by everyone who had the privilege of working with him. His employees and coworkers adored him because he genuinely cared about people. He had a gift for making others feel important, heard, and appreciated.

To those who knew him best, though, his greatest role was being a husband, father, and grandfather. Bob was the kind of father every child hopes to have. He was steady, dependable, funny, and always there when we needed him. He celebrated every accomplishment, no matter how big or small, and there was nothing he loved more than hearing about the successes of his grandchildren. He attended many soccer games, dance competitions, dance recitals, and school award assemblies for his precious grandchildren. Hailey, Bobby, Max, Taylor, and Avery brought him endless joy, and they adored their Paw-Paw right back.

He took tremendous pride in taking care of his property, which was always perfectly maintained. A trip to Lowe's was practically part of his daily routine, and he never met a yard project he couldn't improve. He was equally particular about his hair, which was always neatly styled and exactly in place. Long before anyone left the house, Bob had already made sure his hair was looking just right. It was a source of pride (and a subject of good-natured family teasing) for many years. In his younger years, he loved fishing, especially the deep-sea fishing trips he shared with his son, Jimmy. Those memories became some of his most treasured.

Bob was an avid sports fan. He enjoyed watching both college football and NFL football, faithfully following his favorite teams each season. But baseball was his first love. He played throughout his childhood and remained a devoted fan his entire life. Every spring, LSU Baseball was must-watch television in the Coleman household, and he rarely missed a chance to cheer on the Tigers. Whether celebrating a big win or questioning an umpire’s call from his living room, he followed the team with the same enthusiasm he had as a young ballplayer.

Some of Bob’s happiest moments were the simple ones spent with family. After supper, he loved sitting around the dinner table talking for hours, sharing stories, catching up on everyone’s lives, and enjoying the comfort of being surrounded by the people he loved most. During large family gatherings, he could often be found on the porch with the men of the family, enjoying a cold beer, good conversation, and plenty of laughter. Those moments of togetherness meant the world to him.

Bob loved many things in life, but few things more than family, baseball, and one of Debbie’s home-cooked meals. He often joked that he was spoiled by Debbie's cooking, and truthfully, he was. The kitchen was often the heart of their home, filled with good food, laughter, and family. After retirement, Bob and Debbie enjoyed traveling together and checking destinations off their bucket list. From Greece to the Grand Canyon, from Boston to Chicago, Maine, and countless places in between, they created wonderful memories together. While he enjoyed seeing new places, what mattered most to him was sharing those experiences with the people he loved.

Bob was also known for his sense of humor. He loved a good dad joke and had a way of making everyone laugh. One of our favorite family stories came from a newspaper article that accidentally referred to him as “the Bob Coleman.” It became a running joke that never got old. And if you ever asked him how much something cost, there was a good chance he’d answer “$1.380” with a grin that let you know he was pleased with himself.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Georgia Coleman; his sister, Judy Priddy; and his beloved son, Jimmy Coleman.

He is survived by his father, Jim Coleman, age 103; his loving wife, Debbie Coleman; his daughter, Jennifer Gamboa and her husband, Hector, and their children, Hailey and Max; his daughter, Jessica Coleman and her daughter, Avery Rifkin; his daughter-in-law Diane Coleman; and her children, Taylor Coleman and Bobby Coleman, who proudly serves in the United States Navy.

While Bob accomplished many things in his life, what mattered most was the way he loved his family. He showed up. He worked hard. He made us laugh. He cheered us on. He taught us by example what it means to be loyal, dedicated, and kind.

We are all blessed that he was ours. He was loved by so many, but none more than his family. We will miss his jokes, his stories, his wisdom, and even his daily Lowe’s runs. We will miss everything about him.

The world feels a little less steady without him in it, but we are grateful for every memory, every lesson, and every moment we were given with him. His love remains woven into the lives of all of us who were fortunate enough to know him.

He will be missed beyond measure and loved forever.

Family and friends will be received at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home - Hammond, 2000 N. Morrison Blvd, Hammond, Louisiana 70401 on Friday, June 12, 2026 from 1:00 pm until the memorial service begins at 2:00 pm.