Thursday Afternoon June 16, 2016, Rusty was called by Jesus and the Holy Father to come home and receive His everlasting peace. He will be desperately missed by those who knew and loved him. Being gifted, he loved to study and learn. At the age of 3, he went to a Christian School with 4 year olds, allowing him to be a year advanced. He was curious to know all about God. Starting at about the age of 5, he often came home and asked his mother "Have you asked Jesus into your heart?" Through the years, he would often be seen reading the dictionary and the Bible. He adored his little sister with Down's syndrome, always wanting to help her learn and protecting her. Rusty is survived by his mother, Betty Jean Coleman of Gulf Breeze. He was preceded in death by his father, Daniel E. Coleman who died in 1995. He is also survived by this Sister, Tamatha. She already misses their daily run to the store, choosing coloring books from the Dollar Tree or picking out barrettes for her hair. Mostly, she misses the hugs she received every day from him. Rusty is also survived by his maternal grandmother, Imogene Russ of Gulf Breeze who will be 93 years old next month. Miss Imogene, through the years, has had countless skin cancers removed-- This until Rusty found a natural treatment and now those cancers have almost entirely disappeared. He graduated from Gulf Breeze High School in 1984. Rusty earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with 2 honors and a masters in Sociology. He was a counselor for elementary school students and taught at Pensacola Junior College. He stopped teaching after the death of his father. Many of his students wrote him letters, after he stopped teaching, saying he was one of their favorite teachers. Rusty wanted to travel. He studied French in high school and college and became quite fluent. He loved to learn at least some of every language that anyone around him knew. "Communication”, he would say " is so important to both Psychology AND Sociology and I want to know!" Early on Rusty began writing in spiral notebooks with warnings to all. He loved nature and wading in ditches with his cousins to find fish for his aquarium. In 2002, Rusty found another person who loved doing all the same things. They became partners in business and started BamaPlants.com, selling aquarium plants. They traveled from Texas to Michigan, Maryland to Georgia, Ohio to Indiana and everywhere in between. Rusty is also survived by his long term companion of 14 years, Ken Colley. And, Yes, Rusty was still wading in ditches. Several years ago Russ and Ken began the practice of Hebraic Christianity which respects the Old Testament, The Appointed times, Seasons, and celebrations as well as holding the seventh day Sabbath. Twenty people were selected to enter classes to learn Hebrew and Aramaic. These classes were to begin 2 days after he died. The family wishes to thank Dara Nix for her tireless help, Gloria Strange for her dropping of everything to come and help, as well as thanks to all who have been in prayer for our family. We are all truly heartbroken but take consolation in knowing that Rusty is now at rest.
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