Louis Owen Coleman

We report with profound sorrow the death of Louis Owen Coleman, age 72, on August 30, 2022 at his much-loved home in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Louis was born in Huntington Park, California on November 17, 1949 to two wonderful parents, Louis Dean Coleman and Virginia Ault Coleman. He had a happy childhood in Covina, California. He also had many joyous times visiting his grandparents who owned and operated a sheep business near Cedar Fort, Utah. He truly enjoyed his school years. He graduated from Northview High School in 1967. He completed a mission for the LDS church, where he served in the Northeast United States including parts of New York and Pennsylvania. He attended Dixie State College where he met his future wife, Becky. Louis married the love of his life, Becky Finch Coleman, on August 13, 1977 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and they remained happily married for the duration of his life. He was the beloved father of two children, Nathaniel (Joyia) Coleman and Vanessa (Brett) Coleman Nelson. He was the proud grandfather of Aurora Coleman. Louis’ greatest love was his family. He supported his wife and was always a loyal, true partner. He held his wife as an equal partner, someone he could stand side by side with to overcome life’s challenges while enjoying the rewards they earned together. He shared parenting to an unusual degree for the time. In running his own business, he set up his schedule to prioritize his kids. He was the parent that got the kids off to school. Although, at times, he was potentially a little too lenient regarding letting his daughter decide to take a mental health day. He was the first male PTA volunteer for one of his daughter’s classes. He read The Hobbit and the entire Lord of The Rings series to his 6-year-old son. He was a great homework tutor and chauffeur. He trained his son in complex auto repairs. He built computers with his daughter. He allowed his kids to have a variety of pets and loved all of them. He was an exceptionally wonderful father. He deeply loved his granddaughter. He earned the position of both honorary father and honorary son to more than a few people and he truly cared for each one of them. He never minded one more place setting at the table or providing a safe place to stay. He found parental guidance in Leo and Virginia Ault after losing his own parents. Louis was the owner and founder of Tile by Louis Coleman also known as TLC, a successful tile, marble, and granite subcontracting business. Louis learned the trade through a series of excellent mentors. His open appreciation of their mentorship endured throughout his life. Running TLC was a great fit for Louis because it allowed him to blend a highly technical field with beautiful aesthetics while having a more flexible schedule. Louis loved transforming spaces into beautiful environments. His work was meticulous and precise. Louis’ work was executed primarily in homes in Salt Lake County as well as Little America (Salt Lake City, Utah) and Sun Valley Resort (Sun Valley, Idaho). He made many lifelong friendships with both fellow workers as well as customers. Louis was able to retire early, which was well deserved after decades of the physical brutality of construction work. He settled in nicely to working towards implementing continuous improvements of his cottage garden around his Cliff May-inspired home. Later in life, Louis owned and managed several acres of land. He was particularly focused on being a good steward of the environment and wildlife conservation. Louis was an exceptional chef. He frequently spoiled his family with excellent meals. He cooked from the heart and never truly followed a recipe. His recipes, when he would disclose them, involved a lot of the word “some” and butter. He found pleasure in everyday meals. He loved fixing dinner for everyone and especially enjoyed weekly Sunday dinners with his family. He shared a passion for movies with his daughter-in-law, Joyia. Louis enjoyed everything from Star Wars to Pride & Prejudice. Perry Mason and Jacques Pépin were both frequent TV guests in his home. He loved science fiction films and classic monster movies. He also had a wide variety of musical tastes. He appreciated everything from rock-n-roll to classical music. He was also quite opinionated about stereo equipment. He loved cars and was a skilled mechanic. He worked as a mechanic for Butches (Stockton, Utah), and eventually became a Porsche mechanic for Baxer’s Auto Haus (Salt Lake City, Utah). After transitioning to employment in construction, he continued to help countless friends and family members with vehicle repairs. He owned several cool vehicles over his lifetime and had a particular fondness for his Jaguar XK140, Austin-Healeys, and early air-cooled Volkswagens (mostly in pale blue). Vehicles were not the only mechanics that intrigued Louis. He was a Renaissance man with a wide array of interests and skills. He enjoyed learning and researching topics encompassing architecture, astronomy, computer technology, economics, engineering, fine art, genealogy, law, medical research, politics, and space technology. His life was spent in an everlasting pursuit of knowledge. He believed in his duty to be a good, informed citizen and to look out for others. He was fascinated by how things worked and how things were designed. He embraced new and old technologies. His hobbies included cooking, gardening, building and repairing computers, construction arts, auto mechanics, as well as working to master the intricate art of watch repair. Louis wanted his life to be a meaningful and authentic experience. He took joy in his relationships with others. Louis was a strong, burly man that was a teddy bear to those he loved. It was easy to be welcomed into his circle. He was not judgmental. He embodied the rare ability to truly accept people as they were. He was quick to forgive. His kindness and compassion for others made him many friends. He was a neighbor that was always willing to help when he could. It was best to have a lot of free time when calling or visiting him because he was definitely a talker and “one more thing” was more like 56 more things. We’ll forever miss those phone calls and visits. As his family, we are filled with love and gratitude for his place in our lives. He always provided support to let everyone develop their own potential. His love and devotion created a secure haven in which we always knew we were deeply loved. He taught us the meaning of sacrifice, responsibility, patience, and the power of love without reservation. His children were his greatest joy in life. They were also the source of his greatest pride. Having him in our family was a tremendous honor. We are forever thankful to have had him. Louis was an extraordinary person, and he will be deeply missed. Louis is survived by his wife, Becky, his son, Nathaniel (Joyia) Coleman, daughter, Vanessa (Brett) Coleman Nelson, and granddaughter, Aurora Coleman. He is also survived by his beloved brother, Gary Coleman, and sisters, Kristine (Merlin) Beynon and Kathleen (Paul) Hopkins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Louis Dean Coleman and Virginia Ault Coleman, and several pets that he forever held close to his heart. A celebration of his life has been planned. Please contact the family for details. Please share memories and condolences at www.serenityfhs.com. Finally, we would be remiss to fail to mention that he had an epic beard basically his whole adult life.

Louis Owen Coleman

November 17, 1949 - August 30, 2022