Daniel Carey Coleman, Jr.

Daniel Carey Coleman Jr., 76, of Charleston, South Carolina, passed away peacefully August 30, 2024. Graveside services for Daniel Carey Coleman, Jr. will be held 10:00 AM Friday, September 6, 2024 at Holy Cross Cemetery, 604 Fort Johnson Road, James Island. The family will receive friends between 5:00 PM & 7:00 PM Thursday at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Highway, Charleston.

Dan was born February 10, 1948 in Charleston, South Carolina. He was predeceased by his parents, Daniel C. J. Coleman, Sr., and Betty Parker Coleman, and his brother David Brian Coleman.

Dan is survived by his two brothers: Kevin Coleman (Marie) and Marty Coleman (Shirley); four sisters: Peggy Lawton, Mary Kauser (Jan), Patty Queen (Terry), and Katie Smith (Tom); son Daniel Carey Coleman III (Vesna); daughter Catherine Cox (Thomas); his wife Kay Coleman; five step-children: Zach (Kaliegh), Creedence (Matt), Miles, Forrest, and Cullen; two grandchildren: Thomas Rutledge Cox (9) and Cate Mathewes Cox (7); and two granddoggies, Heidi and Bailey.

Dan was a lifelong Charleston resident. He spent early years in West Ashley, the first child of Daniel C. J. Coleman and Betty Parker Coleman. He attended Blessed Sacrament Catholic Grammar School, Bishop England High School, and graduated from St. Andrews Parish High School in 1967. He enlisted in the USAF in 1968, and spent four years as an operating room technician at USAF Regional Medical Center at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. He graduated from the College of Charleston in 1976 with a Bachelor’s degree in English, and worked toward a Master's degree in public relations and higher education administration at the University of South Carolina in the late 1970's.

Dan was hired as a public information specialist by the College of Charleston in 1975, where he began a 33-year career in corporate and community relations, then with Trident Technical College (1978-79 and 1986-2005), where he held four management positions, and with Santee Cooper, where he was communications coordinator from 1980-1986. He retired from Trident Technical College in 2005.

He was a firm believer in public service and volunteerism. Coleman worked with the Trident United Way, Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce, Volunteer Center of the Lowcountry, and Explorer Division of the Boy Scouts of America in communications and public relations efforts. He served as chairman of the board of directors for Goodwill, Inc., and was a graduate of the Metro Chamber of Commerce Loaned Executive program.

Dan carried volunteerism over into family life, becoming involved in neighborhood associations and citizen oversight committees. After moving to the Olde Village section of North Charleston, he served as vice president and then president of the Olde North Charleston Neighborhood Council at a time when the group was successful in getting the city to pass an historic overlay district, protecting the oldest residential portions of the city. He also served as chairman of North Charleston’s Zoning Board of Appeals, which became increasingly important as the City experienced rapid residential and commercial growth. Dan also enjoyed acting in community theater programs such as the Crab Pot Players.

His regional, national, and international professional memberships included the Carolinas Association of Business Communicators (CABC), Council for Communications Management (CCM), the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), and the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR). As President of CABC, he received the organization’s highest honor, Communicator of the Year, in 1988, and also won awards from CABC for editorial writing (1990) and speechwriting (1993). He made professional development presentations on communications topics to several national organizations, including NCMPR and the American Public Power Association. He authored articles for In Flight magazine, the business news section of the Charleston Post and Courier, CCM’s newsletter, and the safety division of the American Public Power Association.

Dan was a mentor, beloved Father and Grandfather, and a good provider. In addition, he was a talented writer of eloquent letters, speeches, and even poetry.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Arbor Day Foundation. Dan utilized this non-profit many times to have memorial trees planted for his loved ones.

Arrangements by James A. McAlister, (843) 766-1365.