C.A. "Pete" Coates Jr

"I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Tim 4:7

C. A. "Pete" Coates, Jr., went to be with the Lord on Friday, August 22, 2014, after an extended illness.

He was born January 17, 1936, in Blountville, TN, to C. A. "Pete" and Jessie Roller Coates.
He graduated from Holston High School and from ETSU with a B.S. in Chemistry. Pete was a veteran of the U.S. Army where he served as an officer. He was a Senior Research Chemist at Eastman Chemical Company, retiring after 36 years of service with more than 40 patents.

Pete was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, coach, mentor, and friend. He always had a smile for everyone he met.

He was a loyal member of Mafair United Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday School and worked with the youth for many years. He was a member of Indian Springs Ruritan Club. He was presented the Tom Downing Fellow Award by the Ruritan National Foundation for his unselfish service to the community. Pete was Indian Springs Optimist Club Citizen of the Year in 1995. He spent many hours coaching baseball and t-ball and working for the youth of his community. The baseball field at Indian Springs Elementary School is dedicated to him. His most treasured rewards were seeing his "kids" becoming outstanding young adults.

In his retirement years, Pete volunteered with the Shepherd's Center. He always tried to be helpful to others in any way he could. He loved playing golf, gardening, and feeding his little birds.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Barbara Jean Gentry Coates.

Pete is survived by his wife, Oneda Mays Coates; three daughters, Deborah Lynn Coates Parce (Jon), Vicki Diana Coates Conrad (Matt), and Amy LeAnn Hughes Lumb (Greg); one brother, Paul Coates (Janette); grandchildren whom he loved dearly, Matthew Parce, Katie Parce, Conor Lumb, Ashley Conrad, and Joseph Conrad.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to his wonderful caregivers at Asbury Place at Baysmont and The Wexford House with special gratitude to Amanda, Sheila, Pinky, Alice, Lynn, Wanda, Marlen, Joanne, and Ze.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 pm on Sunday at Mafair United Methodist Church. A celebration of his life will follow at 7 pm with Rev. Kim Goddard officiating.

Graveside services with Military Honors presented by The American Legion Posts 3/265 will be conducted at 10 am on Monday at East Lawn Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mafair United Methodist Church, 1409 E. Center St., Kingsport, TN 37664, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, Holston United Methodist Home for Children, P.O. Box 188, Greeneville, TN 37743, Gideons International, 4511 Timberlake Lane, Kingsport, TN 37664, or the charity of one's choice.

Cemetery Details