EUGENE E. COLEMAN, SR.
February 3, 1921 ~ January 23, 2019
Mr. Eugene Coleman, Sr. was born on February 3, 1921, in Ennis,Texas. He was one of six brothers and three sisters to the parents of Mr. John Latelasafale Coleman and Mrs. Beatrice Simms Coleman, all who proceed him in death.
Mr. Eugene Coleman moved to San Antonio, Tx in the 1940's. He accepted Christ at an early age and he attended Mt. Zion First Baptist church under the leadership of Rev. Claude W. Black.
Mr. Coleman, a Civil Rights and Community Activist, begin his career as a photographer during his World War II service in the Air Force. Mr. Coleman was co-founder of SNAP magazine with Mr. G. J. Sutton and Rev. Claude W. Black. Mr. Coleman served as editor to publish news that was often neglected by mainstream media. He was an entrepreneur of the only black photography studio in San Antonio, Tx. located in St. Paul Square. Businessman of Snap house, a chicken stand at the corner of N. Hackberry and E. Houston street, just up the road from his Photography studio.
Mr. Coleman was married to Mrs. Doris Coleman, and to that Union they had one son, Eugene Coleman, Jr. He was later united with Mrs. Birdie Mitchell Coleman, who preceded in death in 1999. Mr. Coleman was always working and supporting others like San Antonio Black History Collection, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Mario Marcel Salas Papers and SNAP News collection, he was always a businessman.
He leaves to cherish his memories son, Mr. Eugene Coleman, Jr. A long time special friend, Mrs. Hertha Black Grant, a devoted caretaker, Mrs. Juanita White. Very close friends Mr. and Mrs. Oscar L Vicks and Mr. and Mrs. Derick Williams. A host of relatives and friends.
Services
Interment: February 7, 2019 11:00 am - August 26, 2025 2:33 pm
Fort Sam Houston National CemeteryView current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
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Thank you for everything you did for my mother and the family. Sincerely,
Rest in heaven, you and be remembered always G
Thank you Mr. Coleman for being one of my journalism mentors when I graduated from St. Mary’s University in 1970. I learned a lot as your sports editor of the Snap. You gave me the foundation to be enable to be a part of the Express-News Sports Department for more than 37 years. Â
Love you Dad! You taught me skills that I use today! Memories of Spriggsdale, and Houston St.!” We created the Queen of Soul together! Gene, much love to you! Great man!
You have my condolences. Thankfully we have a wonderful Heavenly Father who is ready to comfort us during times of sorrow and grief. This is because he is the god of all comfort as 2 Cor 1:3,4 brings out. Also he promises to bring our loved ones back during the resurrection promised at John 5:28,29. Also Rev 21:3,4 says one day we will never have to experience the pain of loosing our loved ones again. That has always brought me comfort, and hope it will do the same for the family and friends of Mr. Coleman.
To the family of Eugene E Coleman JR it is with a heavy heart that I offer my condolences on his passing. Eugene or “Snappy” as he was called was my good friend and Christian Brother. He will be remembered as a Community Organizer/Activist Extraordinaire. For decades he could be found, along with his contemporaries G J Sutton and the Reverend Claude W Black JR, at the forefront in the fight tor civil rights and justice for the East Side. He will be missed by many. Please find comfort in knowing that I will be praying that GOD will give you the strength to heal from this great loss.Â
Our Beloved Eugene … MR. COLEMAN:
Thank you for giving your all to our community and sharing your precious time to anyone who called upon you. I admired your visionary abilities and that perfect grin and enthusiasm as you explained a project and the success it would bring. We worked on many ventures together and some with Violinist Michael Ward. I will cherish your memory forever.
Wyatt and I will miss you terribly but our souls are at peace for we know we will see you again “on the other side.”
Sincerely,
Beverly Houston
I have known Mr. Coleman for over 40+ years. Â And I feel priviledged in his later years to have given Eugene a lift home on a few occasions from a community or political event – sharing a conversation on current subjects and “something from back in the day”..
Farewell to a true San Antonio Eastside icon, May you rest in the arms of our God Almighty.
I was saddened to hear of Mr. Coleman’s passing. Memories of him working his craft with that camera around his neck will always remain. He was one of my mother’s neighbors on Willowwood. He will be missed.