William Reuben Coman
September 30, 1917 ~ November 10, 2007
Resided in:
Arden, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Arden ~ William Reuben Coman, 90, died on Saturday, November 10, 2007 after an extended illness.
Born in Canton on September 30, 1917, he was the son of the late Floy Wilson and Grover Lonus Coman. He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Norton Coman and his sister Selma Coman Dicus. He was also preceded in death by his nephews William Coman Dicus and Howard William Coman.
Following his graduation from Lee H. Edwards High School, Rueben was a pitcher for the minor league baseball club affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals in Johnson City, Tennessee. Upon his return to Asheville, he continued working at Biltmore Dairy where he first began assisting with milk deliveries around the age of twelve.
During World War II, he served in the United States Army as a First Lieutenant with General George Patton’s Third Army in Germany, receiving The Bronze Star for Valor. At the conclusion of The War, he led reconstruction efforts of a small German town, whose citizens elected him mayor. Following The War, Rueben returned to Biltmore Dairy where he remained employed until his retirement.
Reuben later returned to the United States Army, as a Captain in Okinawa during the Korean War.
Reuben was survived by family, who know they have lost a hero. Brothers, James Herbert Coman Sr. of Asheville and Howard Grover Coman of Woodruff, SC; stepdaughter, Edith Green; three granddaughters; nieces and nephews: Rebecca Jane Dicus, Susan Dicus Walters, James Herbert Coman, Jr., Gerald Rhodes Coman, Anne Coman O’ Connor, Fabiane Coman Bartlett and Jeffrey Arthur Coman.
The funeral service will be held Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian in Arden.
Burial will follow in Shepherd Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
T0: The Coman Family;
Like Reuben, I went to work for Biltmore Dairy at an early age(12) and then after military service returned to Biltmore where I worked with Reuben until his retirement. I always enjoyed being around Reuben. He always had kind words for all.
Please except my condolences. I am sure he will be missed by his Family and many others.
Harley
WHEN I WAS JUST A KID THE MILK TRUCK CAME INTO OUR YARD AND SOMETIMES IT WAS REUB OR ‘BIG RED’ AS HE WAS CALLED. HE WAS SUCH A WONDERFUL MAN AND LATER I BECAME A HELPER FOR HIM, R.B.PRESLEY AND SOME OF THE OTHERS. BIG RED AND R.B. WERE MY FAVORITES AND I BECAME LITTLE RED. THEY WOULD TAKE ME TO THE BILTMORE CHRISTMAS PARTY AND OTHER THINGS THAT I GREATLY ENJOYED.
THEY LET ME DRIVE THEIR CARS AFTER WE GOT THRU THE GATE IN THE MORNINGS, AND I LEARNED TO DRIVE.
I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED THEM AS FATHER FIGURES.
WHEN I CAME HOME FROM THE USAF, BIG RED GAVE ME A JOB UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO TRANSFER TO THE CLIMATIC CENTER.
HE TRULY WAS A WONDERFUL MAN AND EVERYONE LOVED HIM.
MAY GOD BE WITH YOU IN YOUR LOSS!
GLENN O’KELLEY
To Herb and Howard: I met Rueben as a very young man when he came to Biltmore Dairy as manager of the Brevard branch. He then transferred to Asheville as a zone manager, and later, I transferred to Asheville as a retail route salesman. I worked with Reuben and was great friends with him until his retirement – even bowling with him for years. He was respected by everyone who knew him at work and away from work. I always enjoyed a good rapport and understanding with him. He taught me much about life. My heartful sincere sympathy goes out to you two brothers. He was a true friend to me, and I will miss him.
Bob Bentley
To the family I send my deepest condolences. My husband used to bowl with Reubin, years ago. I met him and remember him with warm thoughts. He was a special person.
Joyce
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Sorry for your loss.
Bill Davis
Herb and Howard and Reuben’s Other Family Members, Reuben was a customer of mine at Wachovia in Asheville more than 50 years ago and we used to discuss our WW II experiences. Regardless of age, health, or any other circumstance we are never ready to give up our loved ones. The only comfort comes from a real Faith in the Sovereignty of God and the manifested concern of caring friends. We are thinking of you and will hold you in our prayers and hope in some small way it does help to know others do care. Joe