Eugene “Gene” Victor Coleman, a resident of Heather Glen at Ardenwoods in Arden, N.C., peacefully slipped the bonds of Earth on May 24, 2011. He was five days short of his 89th birthday. Gene was born and raised in the Kanawha Valley, W.Va.

He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 69 years, Dilys Davies Coleman, originally of Saskatchewan, Canada. He was preceded in death by his parents, John C. and Beatrice Murray Coleman, as well as five of his six siblings.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Gary and his wife, Patty, of Asheville and Craig and his wife, Diane, of Henderson, Nev.; and one daughter, Kelley Sober and her husband Steven of Denver, who will all miss his love, humor, and wise counsel. Also surviving are one sister, Beatrice Clark of Charleston, W.Va.; five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren that will also miss their “gramps.”

As a member of the “Greatest Generation,” Gene enlisted in the United States Navy in 1940, rising through the ranks to become an officer. His distinguished 26-year career included service during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Upon retirement from the Navy, he earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from San Diego State College. Thereafter, he taught Ecology and Land Utilization at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, Calif., for 12 years. During his second retirement, he devoted himself to fishing and crabbing on Puget Sound, local politics, and his beloved Atlanta Braves. His was a life well lived. He goes now to a place where the fish are always biting and the Braves always win.

The family is grateful for the warm and loving care by the staff at John F. Keever Solace Center, where memorial donations may be made in lieu of flowers at carepartners.org.

A celebration of Gene’s life will be held at Ardenwoods at a later date.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is in charge of arrangements and a memorial register is available at grocefuneralhome.com.