Fort Dodge, IA – Larry Eugene Coleman, 74, of Humboldt, IA, passed away this morning (Dec. 23) at Paula J. Babar Hospice Home in Fort Dodge, following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

After his graduation from Altamont (IL) Community High School in 1964, Mr. Coleman enjoyed a career as a Standardbred owner, trainer, and driver which spanned 50 years. He won dozens of races at fairs and pari-mutuels across the Midwest, for many years operating a public stable in central Illinois with his former wife, Jeanne. During this period, he raced primarily in Chicago, East St. Louis, and Western Kentucky, before relocating to his native Iowa and focusing his efforts on the Iowa fair circuit and the pari-mutuel meetings at Prairie Meadows and Running Aces Casino and Racetrack. Among his more recent standouts were Iowa-bred stakes winners Conestoga’s Lena and Rockme Amadeous.

Mr. Coleman was born on October 19, 1945, in Fort Dodge, the son Robert F. and Esther J. (Felkey) Coleman. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter Sarah Brown, as well as seven sisters and three brothers.

Surviving are his daughters Pamela Coleman and Angela Coleman, as well as grandsons Kyle Husted and Dustin, Matthew, and Patrick Brown. He is also survived by sisters Sandra Schaumburg, Tillie Whittington, Esther Degelau, and Janice Hendrickson, all of Fort Dodge.

The family will hold a celebration of life service at a later date.