John Roy Coltrane, 96, of Siler City passed away peacefully Wednesday, December 5, 2018, at UNC Hospice Home, Pittsboro and is now walking in the presence of the Lord.
Mr. Coltrane was born June 11, 1922 in High Point the son of Nathan C. Coltrane and Essie Bame Coltrane Bond. Roy was a Veteran of the US Marine Corps during World War II. He served in the Pacific Theater (Midway, Iwo Jima, Occupied Japan), received several medals and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. He married Allene Beck Coltrane on October 19, 1947. Roy’s working career included, builder, textiles, meat cutter/ manager, insurance salesman, and salesman/ manager of Oakwood Mobile Homes.
He was a member of Community Baptist Church, Siler City, 5th Marine Division Association, Randolph County Honor Guard, Asheboro Marine Corp League, American Legion Post # 81, Siler City Masonic Lodge # 403, Past Master and District Deputy Grand Master # 14, Order of Eastern Star Chapter #9, Past Worthy Patron, and Shriners. He was a member of the Gideon International and supported local and Foreign Missions.
Roy was an avid outdoors man who enjoyed deer hunting, fishing and, gardening. He loved his family, his church family, military family and Masonic brothers and friends. He looked forward to the times of fellowship and sharing stories. Roy was patriotic through and through and believed “once a Marine, always a Marine”. He was also interested in his ancestry and proud of his Scottish heritage.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Ruth C. Roberts, Kelly (KL) Coltrane (Emir), and Alma C. Perry; sister-in-law, Doris Pearce (Frank).
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Allene (Beck) Coltrane; two daughters, Kay Watts (Oscar) and Valerie Dorsett (Jimmie), all of Siler City; brothers, Howard Coltrane (the late Christine) of Greensboro, NC and Claude L Coltrane (Betty) of Ramseur, NC, grandchildren, April Watts Peterson (Ryan) of Stuttgart, Germany, Page Watts (Denise) of North Myrtle Beach, SC, Dacia Barnes (Jeremy) of Pittsboro, NC, Jonathan Auman (Andrea) of Pensacola, FL, James “Jamie” Dorsett (Allison) of Greensboro, NC, Patrick Dorsett (Sydney) of Siler City, NC; great-grandchildren, Aaron Barnes, Morgan Barnes, Kalyeann Coltrane Barnes, Max and Tate Peterson, Hayden Dorsett, Bryce Auman, Kinsley Dorsett; in-laws, Clifford and Rosalee Beck, Welford (the late Helen) Beck, Clyde (Doris) Beck; and several nieces and nephews.
The family received friends Friday, December 7, 2018 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home, 230 North Second Avenue, Siler City, NC.
The funeral was held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Community Baptist Church, 2575 Hamp Stone Road, Siler City with Rev. Mark Agan and Pastor Billy Joe Brady officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to FMDA (5th Division Association) c/o President Kathy Painton, 62-3928 Lou’i Place H-1, Kamulea, HI 96743 (Tax Deductible Contribution) or Community Baptist Church Building Fund, 2575 Hamp Stone Road, Siler City, NC 27344.
The family wishes to express a heartfelt “thank you” for the thoughts and prayers that have been sent. A special thank you to his private caregivers in his home and UNC Hospice Home.