Albany- Clarence Junius Allen “Col-Train” Coleman, the oldest of three siblings, was born April 12, 1942, to the late Tom and Bessie (Johnson)Coleman in Semora, North Carolina. Clarence Junius Allen Coleman passed away suddenly on Saturday, September 17. Clarence spent his childhood between Bronx, NY, and Milton, NC. Throughout his high school years, Clarence drove the school bus before school and worked in the fields at night. Clarence graduated from high school in Caswell County, NC, and attended Durham Business School in Durham, NC, for 18 months. Eventually,

Clarence moved to Bronx, NY, and enlisted in the United States Army on April 18, 1967, and received an honorable discharge on August 5,1970.Eventually, Clarence moved to Albany, NY, where he met his wife, Phyllis Ann Scott, and they were united in marriage on August 1,1975, witnessed by Gladys Smith and Albert Logan, and to this union, two children were born. Clarence was quiet and kind and loved his children and grandchildren. Clarence would attend his granddaughter’s basketball games and grandson’s football games. He would drive his granddaughter crazy with his view on politics and pester his grandson for no reason.

Clarence worked on the docks in Albany for Pilot Freight Carriers where he received his commercial driver’s license and became a truck driver. He first became an owner operator in the 1980’s. In 1990’s, he started Col-Train Transportation. He was a member
of the Teamsters Local 294. He was a truck driver for over 45 years. Throughout his trucking career, he hauled numerous commodities mainly east of the Mississippi and drove over 10 million safe miles. Clarence retired from trucking in 2012. Clarence would spend his retirement at his son’s shop, hanging out with his grandchildren, or helping his son-in-law. Around 2017, he would join the Albany Veteran Administration Day Adult Program, where he spent most of his week with the wonderful staff and veterans creating art, talking about politics, and attending field trips.

Clarence was predeceased by his loving wife of 37 years, Phyllis Ann Scott Coleman, his brother, Bishop Isaiah Johnson and his nephew, Chad Coleman.

Clarence leaves behind his beloved children: Annetta Coleman (J. Miguel Flores) and Clarence (Erin) Coleman, Jr. Three grandchildren: Ariyanna Chillis, Mateo, Flores, and Cassandra Flores; One brother: Melvin (Jackie) Coleman, Bridgeport, CT; One sister-in law: Dorothy Coleman of Durham, NC; Two aunts: Pauline Johnson of Durham, NC and Nannie Moore of Leasburg, NC; Two brothers-in-law: Charles (Laura) Scott of Chesapeake Virginia and Steven Scott of Low Moor, Virginia; Clarence is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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