Harry Clinton Coleman -- Mechanic

 

Harry and Irene Coleman

Harry Clinton Coleman was born on April 11, 1918 in Trigg County, Kentucky. He was the first of five children born to Herman Conrad Coleman and Johnnie Pearl Bridges Coleman. Herman was a farmer in Trigg County. Harry’s siblings were Mira Everdeane, born in 1920; Nila Jean, born in 1926; Ernest Layton, born in 1928 and Howard “Tommy”, born in 1933.

Harry worked as a young man as a farmer with his father.  In 1933, the U.S. Congress established the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) as a relief program for unmarried young men between the ages of 18 and 25. Harry joined the CCC and traveled to Bunker Hill, Nevada where he worked in a camp for six months. He returned to Trigg County where he worked again as a farmer and as a truck driver.

On January 31, 1942, Harry was drafted into the U.S. Navy and was sent to the Naval Training Station in Great Lakes, Illinois. He was later sent to navy training units at the Navy Pier in Chicago and in Treasure Island, California where he completed his training as an aviation machinist.  On May 6, 1943, Harry left California bound for the Fiji Islands, where he served as part of the Far Eastern Theater of War.  He was then sent to the New Hebrides Islands. Following serving over two years in the South Pacific, Harry was sent back to California where he was discharged from the service on November 10, 1945.

Retuning to civilian life, Harry worked for six months in California driving a semi-trailer truck on the west coast before returning to work for the Henry White Chevrolet Company in Cadiz as a mechanic. He worked at the Chevrolet dealership for five years then became a driver for a private trucking company for several years.  He later went to work at Fort Campbell military base where he worked as a mechanic on combat vehicles.  He worked in this position for seventeen years before retiring in January 1970. After enduring heart surgery, Harry drove a school bus for the Trigg County School system before officially retiring in 1986.

On November 2, 1946, Harry married Thelma Irene Fourshee.  Irene was born on September 16, 1925 in Trigg County, the daughter of Riley Isaac and Edna Earl Carr Fourshee. Edna Earl was the granddaughter of Drewry and Peachie Tart Bridges.  Irene grew up in Trigg County and graduated from Trigg County High School in 1944.  She worked in varied positions over the years including teaching school, working as a secretary at the local five and dime store, as a deputy in the County Clerk’s office and in an attorney’s office. She later went to work for the Home Service Company in Cadiz.   The business moved to a location on East Main Street in Cadiz and in 1970 she and a partner purchased the store from its owners, changing its name to Trigg Supply Company.

Harry and Irene had no children. Harry died on March 13, 2003 at the age of 84 at his home in Cadiz.  He was buried in the East End Cemetery in Cadiz.  His wife, Irene, died on March 15, 2016 at the age of 90 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.  She was buried in the East End Cemetery next to her husband.

 Tombstone of Harry and Irene Coleman

Harry Coleman's Draft Card

LINEAGE: (Harry Clinton Coleman was the son of Herman Conrad and Johnnie Pearl Bridges Coleman.  He was the grandson of William Stanley and Eliza Helen Davis Coleman and Starkie Emerson and Matilda Elizabeth Wallis Bridges.  William Stanley was the seventh child of Alfred Boyd and Alpha Thomas Coleman.  Alpha was the second child of Perry and Elizabeth Bridges Thomas.  Perry was the third child of James and Mary Standley Thomas. Starkie Emerson was the fourth child of Starkie and Elizabeth Lawrence Bridges.  Starkie was the second child of William and Mary Thomas Bridges.  William was the fourth child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.)