James A. Coleman, 88, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Monday, Sept. 10, 2012.

He was born May 23, 1924, in Boca Grande, Fla., to Eugene and Laura Coleman.

James was a World War II Navy veteran, and was a member of American Legion Post 103. He worked as a plumbing contractor for 60 years, and was the owner of James Coleman Plumbing Company.

James is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Coleman of Punta Gorda; children, Eugene (Barbara) Coleman and Joann McClannan, all of Punta Gorda; 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; brother, Henry Darna of Port St. Joe, Fla.; and sisters, Vivian Joiner of Grove City, Fla., and Christine Langford of Tampa, Fla. He was preceded in death by his daughters, Carol Lawhorne and Linda Evans; and a granddaughter, Elizabeth Lawhorne.

The family will receive friends from noon until the funeral service at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, at Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home, 635 E. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda. Burial with military honors will follow at Indian Springs Cemetery. Please visit www.kays-ponger.com to leave the family condolences and to sign the online guestbook.

Arrangements are by Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home and Cremation Services.