Alwyn "Al" John Colman

Alwyn “Al” John Colman, age 80, resident of Seminole was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on September 11, 2022 at Heritage Village Skilled Nursing Home in Holdenville.  Al was born on October 10, 1941 in Staunton, Virginia to Aaron Jacob and Madge (Wyant) Cohen.  Shortly after graduation from Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton, Virginia, Al joined the U. S. Marine Corps and received his training at Marine Corp Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina and advanced military training at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.  Upon honorable discharge, Al attended Shenandoah County College and East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee and completed three years of studies majoring in Chemistry.

Although he was born in Virginia, the majority of his youth and adult life was spent in New York, “the greatest City in the world” as he would say. While in New York, Al learned how to edit film from Richard Dalton. He made a short film about a racer, Fast Eddie Sharpman.  This experience led him to a career in photography and short films. Al also learned to play the drums and started the Tenth Street Band. He then became a “Roadie” for the Aztec Two Step Band.  He later auditioned for a Band called Elephant’s Memory who made part of the soundtrack for the film, Midnight Cowboy. He then started a small recording studio in his loft apartment and recorded demos for up-and-coming singer such as Deborah Harry lead singer of the Band “Blondie”.  Al later became a Disc Jockey for a popular disco night club on Fifth Avenue in New York called Ashley’s.  During these years he had the privilege of becoming acquainted with Caroline Kennedy, the Rolling Stones, Bette Midler, Marvin Gaye, Eisley Brothers, B.B. King, and others too numerous to name. In 1982 he moved from New York to Washington, DC metropolitan area to be near his sister, Joyce. While in DC, he resumed a career in photography and sales which ultimately led to an entrepreneurship venture with a friend in a “New Age” store in Alexandria, Virginia. During the 1980s recession, he and his partner sold their store and he resumed a career in sales and sales management. In 1989, he met his soulmate, Ella, whom he married on April 23, 1994 in Alexandria, Virginia.

Al’s favorite hobbies were golfing, photography and entering car shows with his Corvettes.  After he and Ella left Washington, DC metro area and moved to Albuquerque, NM in 2001, they took numerous weekend trips in his red Corvette photographing beautiful landscapes and cultural sites of New Mexico. A year before he and Ella moved to Seminole, Al entered a NM photograph and won 1st place in advanced photography at the Wewoka Sorghum Days Festival in 2005.  Upon moving to Seminole in 2006, Al became acquainted with local businessman and photographer, John Griffin and his wife, Susie which led to a long-lasting friendship.

Al was raised in a Methodist Church; however, upon moving to Seminole, he decided to join his wife’s Native Church and was baptized at the First Indian Presbyterian “Hilltop” Church of Wewoka, Oklahoma on May 6, 2007.  He loved God, Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior and his Church family.  His favorite Mvskoke Hymn of Faith was Mekusape Fullana and English Hymn, “Onward Christian Soldiers”.  Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Ella and Sasha, Shih Tzu/Maltese of Seminole, his sister, Joyce Colman of Fredericksburg, VA, brothers-in-law Gary “Sonny” and wife, Tojunia “Pinky” Cole of Oklahoma City, OK and Ronnie Cole of Seminole; Nephews Chad Cole, Chase Cole, and Trevor Cole; Nieces Christina Cole, Ashley Cole, Lainey Cole, Casey Cole and Cassandra Cole; Great-Nephews Michael Cole, Austin Red Satepauhoodle, Richard Paul Satepauhoodle, Greyson Long, and Ryan Long, Jr.; and Great-Nieces Paisley Cole and Shayla Satepauhoodle and a close family friend, Susie Griffin, and numerous friends on the east coast and the southwest.

Al was a caring, loving, kind and thoughtful man who was adventuresome, spontaneous and embraced his wife’s Seminole Nation culture and traditions. He loved life and never met a stranger.  His philosophy in life was “Attitude is Everything” and “Live for Today, But Plan for Tomorrow”.  His laughter, sense of humor and birthday serenades will be greatly missed by all.

Honorary casket bearers will be nephews, Chad Cole, Chase Cole, and Trevor Cole; great-nephews, Michael Cole, Austin Red Satepauhoodle, Richard Paul Satepauhoodle, Greyson Long, and Ryan Long, Jr.

Viewing will be Tuesday, September 13, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Wednesday, September 14, 2022 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole.

Wake Service will be Wednesday, September 14, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole, with Charles “Chuck” Johnson officiating.

Funeral Services will be Thursday, September 15, 2022 at 1:00 pm at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel, Seminole with Pastor Galen Greenwalt Earlsboro Indian Baptist Church and Rex Hailey, Commissioned Elder of the First Indian Presbyterian Church officiating.  After cremation, a private burial of his remains will follow at a later date at the Hattie Coker Cole Family Cemetery southwest of Seminole.  Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole.