Stephen York Coleman
Sunday, April 22, 2012

In Memory of Stephen York Coleman

Stephen York Coleman

December 17, 1973 - July 14, 2011

Stephens strong will and faith allowed him to journey through the illness of brain cancer for thirty three months. He fought his illness with perseverance,courage, determination and dignity. Stephen graduated from Maryville High School in 1992, where he was a four-year letterman in football and baseball. Stephen was the quarterback for the Red Rebels and was selected as captain and an all-state selection his senior year.Stephen was also a member of the 1989 AAA State Championship baseball team. In 1996, Stphen graduated from Maryville College with a degree in Business Management. He was a four year starter for the Scots baseball team as a second baseman and pitcher. During the 1995 season he and shortstop Chucky Yates ranked sixth nationally turning 43 double plays. Stephen attended graduate school at the University of Tennessee. In 1996, he became the fourth generation of Anderson Lumber and Home Center as Chief Executive Officer involved in sales and marketing. He also implemented and managed the installed sales segment of the business. Stephen used his passion for basebal as a coach on the Maryville High School baseball staff, influencing and mentoring young men for ten years. Following the 2011 season, Stephen was presented a plaque in recognition of his distinguished service, loyalty and devotion to the Maryville High School Baseball Program and the Stephen Coleman Courage Award was created to be given each year to a deserving Maryville player in remembrance of his perseverance and courage. Stephen was blessed with the pricelsss gift of friendship and is survived by a community of friends. Thanks to each one who touched his life in the smallest of ways. The family would like to thank Dr. David Reardon and Dr. Allan Friedman of The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University; Dr. William Reid and staff, University of Tennessee Medical Center; D. Susan Huntsinger, RN Ruth Borden and staff, University of Tennessee Medical Center; Oncology Treatment Center nurses, University of Tennessee Medical Center.

In honor and remembarnce of Stephen, his love for tailgating and brave fight against brain cancer, some good friends, Shane and Robin Reed, had Tailgating Against Cancer t-shirst made. All proceeds will be donated in Stephen's name to the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Cancer Center at Duke. The wonderful team there gave us 2 more years with Stephen and for that we are eternally grateful.