Alfred Selman

Alfred D. Selman, 92, passed away surrounded by loving family in his home in Kerens, Texas on May 24, 2023. His funeral service will be on June 2, 2023, at 2 pm at the Griffin Roughton Funeral home in Corsicana, Texas. He will be laid to rest in the Long Prairie Cemetery alongside his oldest son, Bret Selman. Alfred Selman was born February 9, 1931 to Perry Lee Selman and Colista ‘Belle’ Selman at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas. He was the 9th child born to the family and the 7th surviving child. Starting at age 9, he delivered newspapers to the neighborhood to help support his family. Lloyd Selman, his older brother by 9 years, came home from his time in the military and noticed how strapping and strong Alfred had become. He strongly encouraged him to pursue athletics, specifically football. During his sophomore year of high school at Irving High School, Alfred Selman stepped onto the football field for the first time and fell in love with the game. He went on to receive numerous awards and recognition for his talent and natural athleticism, including but not limited to All Conference titles. His Varsity jacket will be displayed during his service on June 2, 2023 to highlight some of his accomplishments. In addition to his activities on the football field, Alfred was the only young boy in his class to own a car. His classmates remember fondly the times he would load everyone he could into his car and drive them to Sunday School each Sunday morning. He lived his life to bring those around him closer to Christ. He went on to graduate from Irving High School in 1949. Following his high school graduation, Alfred went on to play football and pursue a degree at The University of Texas at Arlington. He then enlisted in the Air Force, hoping to become a part of the Air force Academy’s football team. Alfred was sent to Colorado Springs to complete basic training but was soon thereafter overcome with a mysterious fever. This was assumed to be rheumatic fever. The illness resulted in 3 months of bed rest where he says he was given broccoli every day to regain his strength. This illness prevented any chance of him being able to play football for the Air Force Academy as he wished to do. After his recovery from rheumatic fever in Colorado Springs, he was assigned to honor guard duty. His work included receiving the remains of deceased veterans of the Korean War as they were delivered back to the United States for a proper burial. He accompanied these men to their final resting place in the National Cemetery and was the ceremonial flag folder who presented their military flag to their family. He held this position for 6 months, honoring those who had lost their lives serving our country. After his time as a Flag Folder, Alfred was then moved to Biloxi, Mississippi for additional training and then to Las Vegas, Nevada. In Nevada, he worked as a camera repair specialist, providing aerial camera coverage to pilots surveying bomb targets from their aircrafts. His work here was commended numerous times by the pilots he served as they said they had never had better picture quality before he began working with them. His work was incredibly important to the activities of the United States Air Force. He remained at this post until his discharge from the Air Force. Alfred then returned to Dallas and worked alongside his father at the Dallas Paint Company. He then moved to Corpus Christi and was married with 3 children: Bret Lee Selman, Sherry Lynn Medlin, and Mark Aaron Selman. He then moved back to Dallas and received additional technical training, bringing his skills up to a very high level. Alfred received a position with the Wonder Bread Bakery as a maintenance engineer. After 34 years in this high-level position within the Bakery and Confectionary Industry, he retired on February 1, 1992. In 1969, Alfred made a trip down to Corpus Christi to visit his older brother Lloyd and his wife. During this trip, Lloyd introduced Alfred to Coral Adams over a game of bowling and homemade ice cream. After 7 months, they were married on June 13, 1970, and Coral Adams became Mrs. Alfred D. Selman. They went on to love one another for 53 wonderful years and raise 5 children into adulthood. They built a home together near Terrell, Texas where they were active members in the First Baptist Church of Terrell. After their 5 children were grown, they built a home on Richland Chambers Lake in 2003. His mother-in-law, Mabel (Durham) Coltharp, also lived in the Richland Chambers Lake home with him and his wife, as they both cared for her for 12 years before her passing. He attended the Mildred Baptist Church where he served his community with his physical abilities. He was an active member there until his departure to be with the Lord. He is preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and his oldest son Bret Lee Selman. He is survived by his wife, Coral Selman, and 2 of his children, Sherry Lynn Medlin and Mark Aaron Selman, as well as 10 grandchildren and 14 greatgrandchildren who adore and respected him as the head of the family. Just preceding his departure, he stated he was not hurting anywhere in his body, but he was “just so tired.” Alfred was blessed by God to leave this earth peacefully and surrounded by family. His memory will live on forever in our hearts Visitation will be Friday, June 2nd from 1-2pm at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home. Funeral Service will follow at 2pm in the Chapel at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home. Burial will be at Long Prairie Cemetery, Kerens, Texas

Alfred Selman

February 9, 1931 - May 24, 2023