Johnny Fred Coleman, founder of Mid-State Construction, passed away peacefully at his home in Livingston on Wednesday, July 31st, 2024 at the age of 83. He was dedicated to his beloved family above all else.

Born January 17th, 1941, in Livingston, Tennessee, he was preceded in death by his parents, William D. “Bill” Coleman and Ardean Keisling Coleman, and his brother, Jimmy Coleman.

A graduate of the Livingston Academy Class of 1959, he earned Varsity letters in basketball and football, where his wife and childhood sweetheart, Carol Coleman, was a cheerleader. They were married for 65 years.

After high school, he served his country in the Tennessee Army National Guard and attended Tennessee Technological University, where he studied business management.

He started his career in the construction industry in 1962, delivering explosives to coal mines for Austin Powder Company. In 1966, he founded his first business, Mid-State Concrete Pipe Company, later buying out his partners to become sole owner.

Among his many accomplishments in business, he established Mid-State Construction in 1976 primarily as a bridge construction operation. Over the years, he grew the company to include commercial and industrial construction, blast hole rock quarry drilling, geothermal drilling and installation, and miscellaneous utility construction. Mid-State Construction now employs over 100 people.

Recognizing the local community’s need for financial services, he also co-founded American Bank & Trust of the Cumberlands in 1979.

He was elected the 2006 President of the Tennessee Road Builders Association (TRBA), and served on the Association’s board for many years. Upon his election as President, he was honored for his service to the citizens of Tennessee in a joint resolution adopted by the Tennessee State House of Representatives.

An engaged citizen, he served on boards and committees of his local bank, chamber of commerce, and others, and generously supported numerous charities. He was a member of Livingston Masonic Lodge #259 for 60 years. Mr. Coleman was also active in local and state government, working tirelessly behind the scenes to advance various projects to benefit the communities he loved, Livingston and Overton County.

As an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed both hunting and fishing, he was appointed as a commissioner of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency by Governor Phil Bredesen in 2005, later serving as chairman. He also enjoyed golfing, riding motorcycles, flying, racing cars and boats, and waterskiing on Dale Hollow Lake, where he co-owned Willow Grove Boat Dock for a time.

Mr. Coleman is survived by his wife, Mrs. Carol Ledbetter Coleman; his son, Kelly Coleman; his daughters, Candy Coleman-Griffith and husband Will, and Christie Hummel and husband Chris; his grandchildren, Mercer Payne and husband Jessy, Claire Walker and husband Trevor, Mary Grace Kelley, Coleman Kelley, and William Griffith; his great-grandchildren, Coleman Cash Payne and Campbell Claire Payne; his sister, Betty Ledbetter, and his sister-in-law, Wanda Coleman, along with many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m., Saturday, August 3, 2024, at the First Christian Chuch in Livingston. Rev. Dee Wells and Rev. James Shenko will officiate. Burial will follow at the Twin Oaks Cemetery (next to Good Hope Cemetery) in Livingston. The family will welcome friends before the service at the church from 12 noon until 2:30pm. A celebration will be held following the burial at the home of Johnny Fred and Carol, 220 Fairview Ln. All are welcome.

Pallbearers to serve are Ralph Robbins, Jim Evans, Jason Copeland, Dale Keisling, Richard Armstrong, Dr. John Clough, and Curtis Hayes.

Honorary Pallbearers are Dr. Steve Copeland, Kelly Keisling, Kenneth Copeland, Dr. Buckie Parsons, Kenneth Taylor, Judge Gale Robinson, Brandon Robbins, and Ossie Mitchell. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial Donations in Memory of Mr. Johnny Fred Coleman may be made to the Ollie the Otter Program or the First Christian Church by contacting Speck Funeral Home.