Janice Kay Coleman

Janice Kay Coleman was born August 25, 1946, in Portland, Oregon, to Odas Verneal and Ruth Olene (Moore) Porter. Her dad was a hard worker and in addition to his regular job, he brought the family to a farm in the West Stayton area each year to pick green beans for extra money. It was on that farm that Jan met Thomas Jerry, and the two fell in love. Jan and Jerry eloped to Winnemucca and were married November 9, 1964. They returned home to Jan’s very angry father, who only calmed down when Jerry produced the marriage certificate. Eventually Jerry endeared himself to Odas and became his favorite. Jerry took a job in Gresham for a few years but missed the valley so much that he and Jan moved back down to the Turner area. They bought some land and settled down to raise their two children. Janice worked years ago when the kids were young, but for many years she was a homemaker, caring for the home and horses. Many weekends were spent as a family taking the horses to races in Portland and Seattle. When they had free time, Jan would accompany Jerry on his hunting trips. There were also family camping trips to places like Prineville Reservoir where wonderful memories were made. Jan was intensely devoted to her family, especially her grandchildren, and was fiercely protective of the ones she loved. She was blessed to have her grandchildren live close by and the kids were always at her home. Jan even provided daycare to her grandchildren while their parents worked. She loved to attend the grandkids’ sporting events and activities. Even when she couldn’t attend, she was still their biggest fan. Some of Jan’s hobbies included listening to the Blazer games on the radio, watching bull riding and the Oregon Ducks, and taking trips to Las Vegas. She was a simple woman that didn’t like a bunch of fuss made over her. She was incredibly loving and selfless, always putting others first. Janice passed away on February 19, 2020, surrounded by the family she so dearly cherished. She was preceded in death by her parents. Jan was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed by her husband of 55 years, Thomas Jerry; her children Glenda Weston and Odas (Jamie) Coleman; grandchildren Casey (Shannon) Weston, Kristin Weston, Axle Weston, Tommy Coleman, Leann Coleman, Mayson Olson, and Kenna Coleman; great-grandchildren Brooke Weston, Chesney Coleman, Trenton McMillan, RaeLynn McMillan, and Addison Utterback; and her sisters Gwen (Jock) MacGregor, Marsha (Dan) Elam, and Patsy (David) Cox. A service to celebrate Jan’s life will be held on Friday, February 28, 2020, at 11 am at Weddle Funeral Service in Stayton followed by interment at Lone Oak Cemetery in Stayton. Reception to follow at Anthony Hall in Sublimity.