Lawyer taught his sons about love and legacy in the Black community
Growing up, Imhotep and Kemet Coleman saw their father, Rev. Larry Coleman, as a larger-than-life figure, a man deeply committed to service and to lifting others. Now as adults, the two brothers’ admiration for their dad has only grown, especially in recognizing the lasting impact he had on their family and the community he loved deeply.
Coleman, a reverend and attorney, who devoted his life to fighting civil injustices and easing the burdens of those around him, died on May 9 from leukemia. He was 74.
“He was deep and very wise,” said Imhotep Coleman, 46. “He had a huge heart for people, justice, love and truth.”
The Coleman brothers say their father was a guiding force in their lives, shaping them into the men they are today. He constantly supported and encouraged them to strive for greatness and never let them believe that anything was out of reach.
Born in Canton, Mississippi in 1951, Coleman grew up surrounded by the limitations that society often placed on Black Americans. His family later moved to St. Louis, where Coleman began to develop his own ways of contributing and giving back to his community. His parents only had middle school educations, but they instilled in him a deep sense of spirituality and responsibility to the community. Values that would guide his life’s path.
His younger brother, Alvin Coleman, recalls his older brother as more than a sibling, he was a mentor, teacher and even a parental figure.
“I am who I am because of him,” said Alvin Coleman. “I’m an advocate in my community. I’m a portrait artist, a vocalist, pianist and songwriter. Everything that I do today, I’ve been inspired by him to do.”
As the oldest of eight siblings, plus two younger step-siblings, Coleman naturally stepped into a leadership role in the family while his parents worked. He cared for his younger brothers and sisters, sharing with them his love for reading, writing, and especially African history.
By the time he reached high school, Coleman had become a local source of knowledge, particularly in areas his school district neglected. Since Black history wasn’t being taught in schools, he made it his mission to share what he had learned with other students.
“He took it upon himself to spread Black awareness at Webster Groves High School. (in St. Louis.) There, he shared books that people should read and held discussions about current events like the death of Martin Luther King, the death of Robert Kennedy, the death of Malcolm X, the death of Medgar Evers,” he said.
Coleman became involved in the Civil Rights Movement at a young age, joining marches and protests in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Seeing innocent people arrested for exercising their civil rights, sparked his desire to pursue a career in law.
At Howard University, where he studied law and served as editor of The Hilltop student newspaper, he found a voice that blended legal rigor with a strong moral vision. After graduating, he began his career at the U.S. Department of Justice and later moved his family to Kansas City, where he became the Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.
Eventually, Coleman launched a private legal practice, offering his services to everyday people who often had no one else to turn to. His work wasn’t just about winning cases, it was about restoring dignity and justice.
Kemet Coleman, 38, remembers spending time in his father’s office as a child, helping with clerical work and witnessing the deep gratitude of the people his father helped.
“He was a product of that era,” Kemet said. “That made him a very passionate and principled man who wanted to help get people out of tough situations or help them if they were done wrong or, you know, if there was a racial incident. He would go against giants.”
The respect their father earned left a lasting impression. Today, Imhotep is a filmmaker and educator in Los Angeles, and Kemet is a music artist and co-founder of Vine Street Brewing Company, which is Missouri’s first Black-owned brewery. Both credit their father for instilling in them a deep commitment to community and service.
“I think the biggest lessons he taught me was to take care of the common people,” said his younger son.
As they grieve the loss of one of the most influential figures in their lives, they find comfort in the countless stories shared by those their father helped along the way.
“He could see the best in people,” said his oldest son. “He helped them reach their true potential and pushed them towards excellence.”
Other remembrances
Raymond Suber, Sr.
Raymond Suber, Sr., ertired mechanic and truck driver, died April 26. He was 89.
Suber was born April 1, 1936, to Manuel and Daisey Suber in Union County, South Carolina.
After graduating high school he later met and married Edna Suber on in 1960 and the couple moved to Kansas City. Here Suber worked as a truck driver and later a machinic for Amoco Oil for 33 years until his retirement.
He is remembered by his children; Rodrick Meadows, Mary Loretta Chambers, Raymond Suber, Jr. and Benjamin Suber; along with a host of cousin and grandchildren.
Wade Ladd
Wade Ladd, retired teacher, died May 7. He was 85.
Ladd was born March 17, 1940, to Ivea and Flaxer Ladd in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. After graduating high school, he earned a bachelor of science in education from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. He later earned a master’s degree in adult and occupational education from Kansas State University and an educational specialist degree in school administration from Central Missouri State University. Ladd worked as a teacher for 50 years in various districts in the area including the Kansas City, Hickman Mills, Blue Valley and Olathe public school districts
He is remembered by his sister, Iva Jean Jackson; daughters, Constance DaNell Weaver and Dana Nelson; along with a host of cousins and grandchildren.
This story was originally published May 18, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
