James (Jim) Walter Coleman, a resident of Tempe, Arizona for nearly fifty years, he moved his family to Tempe in 1975 to work as a piano technician at Arizona State University.

Jim first learned piano tuning from his older brother Gale. He was a founding member of the Phoenix Piano Technicians Guild (PTG) chapter, a piano designer at the Conn Piano Company, a worldwide piano technician for the Baldwin Piano Company, and a recipient of every award offered by the PTG, including the prestigious Golden Hammer award.

Prior to his career in tuning pianos, Jim graduated with a music degree in vocal performance from Arizona State University and became the Gilbert High School Band, Chorus, and Orchestra director.

He played viola and tuba in the Phoenix Symphony and was an accomplished vocalist. An instructor at heart with a never ending curiosity Jim researched and taught piano tuning, human origins, co-invented the world's first handheld electronic piano tuning instrument, the Sight-O-Tuner.

He was predeceased by his wife, a daughter, and a grandson, and is survived by eight sons, 23 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, and 21 great-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held on January 4, 2025.