Jerry L. ColemanEnid, OK

Jerald L. Coleman, age 66, of Enid, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by the love of his family.

Jerry was born and raised in Enid, Oklahoma, where he attended Chisholm High School. He was a man who could rarely sit still and spent his life working with his hands, solving problems, and pursuing the things he loved. In 1983, Jerry opened his own machine shop, beginning a career as a machinist and mechanic that reflected his natural ability to build, repair, and make just about anything work. More than 15 years ago, he opened his own scuba shop and became a scuba instructor, combining his love of diving with his passion for teaching and sharing experiences with others.

Jerry had many passions throughout his life. He loved building race cars, racing, working on vehicles, scuba diving, and spending time with the people he loved. With his racing background, anyone who knew Jerry knew one thing for certain: he did not know how to drive slow.

On June 10, 1983, Jerry married the love of his life, Deborah (Seltenreich) Coleman, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Enid. Together, they built a life centered around family, adventure, and countless memories. Jerry and Debbie enjoyed traveling together, including trips to many of the islands throughout the Atlantic Ocean. Jerry would spend his time scuba diving while Debbie enjoyed relaxing in the sun. But some of their most meaningful time together was spent simply following their children and grandchildren to their many sporting events and activities.

As a husband, Jerry was, in true Jerry fashion, stubborn, determined, and always convinced he knew the best way to do things. But beneath that stubbornness was a husband who loved his family deeply and devoted his life to them.
As a father, Jerry expected the best. He was tough, sometimes very tough, to impress, but his expectations came from wanting nothing less than the best for his children. He taught his kids how to work on vehicles, coached their sports, and was always the person they called when something needed to be fixed. He could fix nearly anything—although helping Dad at the machine shop came with its own challenges. Somehow, the light was never being held in quite the right place, the tool was never the right tool, and there was always a better way to do whatever you were doing.

And if you needed help with a vehicle, you called Dad. If you wanted to make sure you stayed out of trouble, however, you called Mom. Becoming a grandfather brought out a side of Jerry that his children hadn't always seen. His grandchildren changed him in the best possible way. He became their biggest cheerleader and was determined to make sure they had everything they wanted. They created a soft spot in his heart that was impossible to miss. The tough, stubborn mechanic and perfectionist became the funny, outgoing Grandpa who absolutely adored his grandchildren.

Jerry was a friend to many and considered by those who knew him to be one of the most selfless people they had ever met. He was the kind of person who would help a friend without hesitation. He was also known for his colorful language, quick humor, and ability to turn just about any situation into a story worth telling.

Above all else, Jerry loved his family. His greatest legacy will not be the machines he built, the cars he raced, the vehicles he repaired, or even the miles he traveled beneath the water. It will be the people he taught, coached, challenged, encouraged, and loved.
He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all those fortunate enough to have known him. His memory will live on in the lessons he taught, the stories that will continue to be told, the things he built and repaired, and most of all, in the family he loved.

Jerry was preceded in death by his mother Louise Coleman. Jerry is survived by his wife Debbie, his children Jeremy Coleman & wife Mia and grandchildren Makenna, Jameson, and Harper, Justin Coleman & Wife Alix and granddaughter Sadie, and Janae Bode & husband Blade and grandchildren Paisley and Raylin; his father Jim Coleman; brothers Jim Coleman & wife Liz, Jeff Coleman & wife Kim, and John Coleman; and several other nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

A celebration of life service for Jerry Coleman will be 10:00AM Monday November 2, 2026 at Bible Baptist Church with Rev. Terry Chick officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Anderson-Burris Funeral Home & Crematory.