Obits for All: Julius “Chuckie” Coleman

What’s your earliest memory of him?

“2020, when he walked in for an interview to be a youth development worker. He was so serious and focused on the questions and answering them right. He really wanted to give back to the kids.” — Masden-Wilson

“Walking home, and he pulled up and told me to be safe and that he loved me.” — Davonte Coleman

“From birth. I knew him from birth.” — Tiara

What made him laugh? 

“Playing badminton with the kids at the Parkland Boys and Girls Club.” — Davonte

“He would always do these rap songs in the karaoke mic.” — Masden-Wilson

If you made a playlist of songs that remind you of him, what’s one song that would be on it?

“‘It’s Hard out Here for a Pimp,’ from the movie Hustle & Flow 🤣. He did a remix of the song while on the job. Also, the song ‘Rise Up,’ by Audra Day. I think about the struggles he had and how he rose to every occasion.” — Masden-Wilson

“‘Heart on Ice,’ by Rod Wave. ‘Heart been broke so many times.'” — Davonte

How would you describe him?

“Five feet, nine inches tall. Long hair. Glasses. Lots of tattoos.” — Tiara

“A man of honor, a man of laughter, a man of dedication, a man that cared for everyone around him. A man of protection.” — Masden-Wilson

“Dressed in all black, looking like he was going to church.” — Davonte

What was your favorite thing to do together?

“Making the job not feel like a job.” — Masden-Wilson

“Family gatherings at my house. Everything. He was my brother.” — Tiara

“Playing basketball, watching basketball.” — Davonte

What details about him will you always remember? 

“Chuckie always came to work in style — latest shoes, jeans.” — Masden-Wilson

“Everything — from his telling me about his day to his telling me about how to become a man. When I came to him about school, he told me that school’s not for everyone, but that if I needed anything he was there to help. He always told me to be a man, to do what’s right, and that if I did go back to school to have fun but also do my work. It’s hard to name even one for real without crying.” — Davonte

Can you think of a time he did or said something that had an impact on you? 

“‘How are you doing today? Do you need anything?’” — Masden-Wilson

“’Nephew, don’t let what happened last week or yesterday or last year take over what you have going on right now.’ Also: ‘I love you, youngin. Keep your head up.’” — Davonte

What’s something you did together in Louisville that you’ll never forget?

“Work and walk. Play basketball.” — Davonte

What made him cuss?

“If his family did something wrong.” — Tiara

“Let’s not talk about what made him cuss.” — Davonte

Who would you pick to play them in a movie?

“My son.” — Tiara

Now that he’s gone, what story or anecdote do you find yourself remembering?

“There was a day when we couldn’t find Chuckie at work. We were looking everywhere. We became so worried — calling his phone, calling his sisters, calling his nephew, calling other workers. All of us, the staff, were in the lobby, and we saw a light shine from a camera in one of the rooms upstairs. Trying to figure out what was going on up there, we all ended up going up there. Chuckie was in the computer lab, where he’d been listening and watching us look for him. He was laughing his butt off.” — Masden-Wilson