Coleman Walter Nay

With heavy hearts, we announce the unexpected passing of Coleman Walter Nay on February 10, 2025, at the age of 80. Born on July 26, 1944, in Grand Island, Nebraska, to Coleman W. Nay and Ruth H. Tiedji, he was the fourth of five children. In 1952, the family moved to Alliance, Nebraska, where Coleman attended Grandview grade school through high school at Alliance High, class of ’62.
In 1965, Coleman married Jeannene Gardner, and together they welcomed two beloved sons, Coleman (born in 1968) and Erick (born in 1972). They were the love, joy, and pride of his life, and he remained endlessly proud of the men and fathers they became. In 1980, he married Margaret McDonough, and they shared many years of cherished memories before their divorce in 2015. Despite the changes in their relationships, Coleman remained close friends with both Jeannene and Margaret.
Coleman proudly served in the Army Reserves from 1965 to 1967. Also, in 1965, he began his lifelong career in retail management with Skaggs Drug Stores in Idaho Falls, ID. His dedication and leadership quickly earned him a promotion, making him the youngest assistant manager to become a general manager in the company’s history at the time. Over the years, he successfully managed Skaggs Drug Stores in Denver, CO; Wichita, KS; Salt Lake City, UT; and Great Falls, MT. His career later took him back to Denver, CO, then to Missoula, MT, before he retired from Skaggs/Osco in 1991. Never one to sit still, Coleman moved back to Salt Lake City that same year and managed and supervised MAC’s Hobbies & Crafts in Utah until his retirement in 2000.
Above all, Coleman’s greatest love and passion in life were his sons, Coleman and Erick and his grandchildren. He also had a deep love for golf and took every opportunity to play—whether in a weekly men’s league or weekend rounds with family and friends, there was always a friendly wager on the course. He had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed road trips across the United States, no matter the route that was taken, the journey as always to visit and spend time with family and friends. One of his most treasured travel experiences was his trip to Scotland, where he played the legendary “Old Course” at St. Andrews, as well as his time in Ireland. He had a passion for cars, from his first car a 1949 Hudson Hornet “409 Eater” to the 1948 Chevy he got for his 50th birthday and then restored to a hot rod with his friend. He enjoyed finding antiques and refinishing them. He had many joys in life.
Coleman was a man who never met a stranger—his friendships lasted a lifetime. Whether from school, work, or friends of friends, he cherished, valued, and respected those relationships. Anyone who knew him knew that the moment he entered a room, it would soon be filled with laughter. He had a gift for storytelling, whether recounting a tale or delivering the perfect punchline to a joke.
We will miss those weekend coffee visits with our dad. The daily and weekly calls, and our weekly lunches with Dad, Bro, Uncle Sonny, and our dear friend. His warmth, humor, and love will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
Coleman was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Donna, Nola, and Rosalie; his granddaughter, Burgandi; and his sister-in-law, Robbie.
He is survived by his sons, Coleman (Kathy) and Erick (Rachel); His brother Mike Nay (Calif.), brother-in-law Bill Smith (Calif), five grandchildren, Coleman, Casey, Kylee, Kanyon, and Ella; as well as many wonderful nieces, nephews, and close friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025, from 6-9 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, Utah. Guests are encouraged to use parking and entrance located on the north side of the building.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Humane Society of Utah in Coleman’s memory.