Douglas McNeil Coleman
April 27, 1960 – June 4, 2025

Douglas McNeil Coleman passed away peacefully at home on June 4, 2025, after an extended illness. He was 65.

Born on April 27, 1960, Doug was a devoted father, beloved brother, respected attorney, and fiercely loyal friend. He is survived by his children, Robert Coleman and Katie Coleman, and by his sister, Leigh Ann Woodbury. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Younger and Linda Lou Coleman.

Doug was a longtime resident of Alexandria, Virginia, and student at St. Stephen’s School.  He attended The University of Virginia for undergrad and received his JD from The University of Richmond Law School.   He built a distinguished legal career and left a lasting mark on the legal community.   From the earliest days of practice, it was clear he possessed a rare combination of wisdom, empathy, and grit.  In his practice Doug mentored many young attorneys —his guidance made better lawyers, and better people.

In 2017, Doug moved to his family’s historic home, Edenetta—a tree farm in Champlain, Virginia. There, he immersed himself in the land he loved. A lifelong tree enthusiast and expert, Doug cultivated timberland, orchards, and a healthy, diverse forest, inspired in part by his father and in part by Thomas Jefferson and his time in Charlottesville. You could point to any tree—oak, persimmon, chestnut, you name it—and Doug’s encyclopedic knowledge would come pouring forth: not just the name, but its history, its cousins, its preferred soil, and what would blight it. His reverence for trees wasn’t just scientific—it was spiritual. Edenetta wasn’t just a farm. It was a living library, and Doug was its most devoted steward.

A member of Vauters Episcopal Church, Doug carried his deep-rooted sense of community into all areas of life. He was incredibly well-read, with a special passion for Civil War history. Any conversation with him, no matter the topic, might wander into a rich exploration of historical context—offering new insight or reframing an old debate.

He will be remembered for his clarity of thought, his quiet and powerful sense of right and wrong, and the way he moved through the world—with grace, patience, and a wry sense of humor. Doug didn’t just do the right thing; he did it in a way that made others want to rise to the occasion, too.

Doug’s loyalty ran deep, and those fortunate enough to be loved by him knew a rare kind of support—unshakeable, generous, and unspoken. His friendships, like the trees he cultivated, were rooted and enduring.

A memorial service will be held outdoors at the family cemetery at Edenetta, located at 6514 Tidewater Trail, Champlain, Virginia, on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. All are welcome. Refreshments will be served.

Doug Coleman left the world far richer than he found it—in ideas, in people, and in trees. May his memory be a sheltering canopy for all who knew him.