Henry J. Coates

KINGSPORT ? Henry Junior Coates, 82, of Kingsport, passed away to his Heavenly Father early on Tuesday morning, November 17, 2009. Born June 18, 1927, in Morristown, TN, he resided most of his life in Kingsport. He was of the Christian faith and a member of the Worldwide Church of God. He worked in the C.E. Division at Eastman Chemical until his retirement due to his health. He was an avid bluegrass music fan and loved stock car racing and raced in Morristown at an early age. After his retirement he loved farming.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Catherine Ida and Henry Wesley Coates; a sister, Evelyn Rice; and several half-brothers and half-sisters.

He is survived by his daughter, Terri Oaks and husband Gary; three sons, Larry R. Coates, Gary W. Coates and wife Carolyn, and Jerry D. Coates and wife Andra; ten grandchildren, Larry A. Coates and wife Donna, Kimberly D. Chase and husband Roger, Kathy E. Galloway and husband Joel, Gregory A. Coates and wife Alisha, Gary D. Coates, Leslie Rogers and husband Sean, Amanda Cox and husband Aaron, Jessica Coates, Wesley A. Coates, Joeanna Dunn; ten great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Gladys Byrd; the mother of his children, Mary Coates; and his beloved Pomeranian, Katy.

The family will receive friends at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport, on Thursday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Services will be conducted at 7:00, with Rev. Andy Sensabaugh officiating.

Graveside services will be at Bowser?s Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. on Friday. Pallbearers will be Henry?s grandsons.