The fire service has always been a strong magnet for committed young men and women, and John Coleman was smitten at a young age. Born in Oakland and raised in Chico, John signed on to the U.S. Forest Service after two years in college, and planned to make forestry work his career. At age 20 and less than three weeks after his marriage to the former Deana Athens, John Coleman was battling a lightning-caused backwoods fire in Mendocino County when he lost his life in the line of duty.