The Life and Legacy of Gilfort Booker Coleman

On Thursday, August 1, 2024, God, in His infinite wisdom, saw fit to summon the soul of our loved one, Gilfort Booker Coleman, and he transitioned from earth to eternal rest.

"Gil," as he was affectionately known, was born on January 7, 1950, to Booker Coleman and Gladys Scott. Through each chapter of his life, he gave untiringly of himself to the service of others. Throughout each season of his life, he grew closer to the Lord and was a faithful and devoted family member and friend. In 1967, Gil graduated and was ranked third in his class from C. H. Daniels High School in Center, Texas. While in High School, he was a member of the band and played the clarinet. Following high school, he became a proud graduate of East Texas State University (now known as Texas A&M University-Commerce). He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science in 1971 and a Master of Science degree in 1974. He was the first Black graduate of the Master's program in Computer Science,
positioning him for professional success.

On February 27, 1970, on the campus of East Texas State University, he joined the historic Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated®. "Alpha" is the first, black Greek letter organization that set in motion what is known today as the Divine Nine, an organization of fraternities and sororities of predominately Black, college-educated individuals. He was a charter member of the Treacherous Zeta Tau Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated®, on the campus of East Texas State University. Their line name was the "Funky Twenty-One" and he was Ape number 11. He was a torchbearer for future generations. As an "Alpha," Gil was a past President of the Alpha Sigma Lambda Chapter, a graduate chapter in Dallas, Texas. He held many other roles within the chapter, always eager to share his knowledge and passion for Alpha history. As Chairman of a special fundraising activity to support the building of the Martin Luther King, Jr. monument in Washington, D.C., he raised over $80,000 to help fund the project. He was a past Chairman of Alpha Merit, the chapter's scholarship foundation, and gave his life in service to the principles and programs of the Fraternity. Two rewarding distinctions for him were having an Alpha Merit scholarship named in his honor and receiving the Chapter's Trailblazer Award in 2016.

In his professional life, Gil was one of the first Black employees at E/System (Raytheon). As an employee, he left an indelible mark on the company and his department. He also served as a Computer Program Project Manager with Perot Systems. Gil retired after many years of dedicated service.

On December 18, 1971, Gilfort married his college sweetheart, Ida Joanna "Jo" Nunn, and one son was born to that union, Gilfort Scott Coleman. The couple enjoyed participating in the life of their son, Scott, and his wife, Yvette Coleman, along with their two grandsons, Gilfort Harrison Scott Coleman, and Genesis Coleman. The family was close-knit, and each year traveled together to the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated® conventions. They also visited other places in the United States and, on birthdays, enjoyed each other's company at restaurants in the Dallas area. They attended many sporting events together. He took great care of his family, and his son and grandsons did not want for anything. Gil was an enthusiastic supporter of all of his son's and grandsons' sports endeavors.

As a husband, Gil provided loving and faithful care to his wife, Ida Jo. And through a long season of illnesses, he displayed true dedication and compassion for her. With love and devotion, Gil took his wife anywhere she wanted to go and was close by her side throughout everything she encountered in her life.

Gil met people with ease and could carry conversations with intellect and humor. He lived a life filled with wonder and wisdom and imparted that to all who would listen. His community service was provided through his membership in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated®.

A long-time member of St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Dallas, Texas, he held the official capacity as Chairman of the Trustee Board. While at St. Paul, he sang in the Male Chorus and served on the Usher Board. He later became a member of Concord Church in Dallas, Texas. Until his passing, he remained an active member of Carter Temple C.M.E. Church in Desoto, Texas.

Gilfort was preceded in death by his grandmother, Edith Gardner, his parents, Booker Coleman and Gladys Scott; his grandfather, Alvin Coleman; brothers: Donald Wayne Scott and Joseph Scott, brothers in law, Felton Nunn and James "Jimmy" Autrey Nunn; and the love of his life and wife of 46 years, Ida Joanna "Jo" Nunn Coleman.

Those left to remember and carry on his legacy are his son, Gilfort Scott Coleman (Yvette); grandsons, Harrison Coleman and Genesis Coleman; Siblings: Delmas Scott (Treanell), Sandra Carter, Anita Scott (Will), Steven Coleman (Debra), and Roderick Scott; Doris Terry (Rodmey), Thomas Quinton Nunn, Patricia Nunn Brown (Richard), and Charlene Nunn; his adopted daughter, Danielle Williams; many nieces and nephews, other family members, a host of special friends, and the brothers of Alpha
Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated®.