John Coats was
a member of the
Salem Ruritan Club
Obituary from the Found & Sons Funeral Chapel website:
John F. Coates, 78, of Culpeper, VA went to be with the Lord on September 14, 2018, while surrounded by his loving wife Betty and other friends and family. John and Betty bravely battled with inspiring dignity and grace as he fought a difficult illness for over nine years.
He was born on April 12, 1940 in Madison County, Virginia and was the son of the late Edward Edgar Coates and Lucy Covington Coates. Due to the illness and death of his parents, John was raised by his eldest brother Robert H. Coates and his wife Irene Weaver Coates. Upon graduation from high school John proudly served his country as a medic in the US Army from 1959 to 1962. John then went to work for the Virginia Department of Transportation and was there from August 1964 to August 1991. His hard work and tireless commitment to his job contributed to his receiving countless awards, recommendations and honors. John was pleased to be recognized for this commitment when having a road in Culpeper named for him, the John Coates Blvd.
John was very proud and found it a privilege to be a representative for the Salem District on the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors from 1992 to 2007, where he served as the Chairman for eight of those years. His volunteer involvement and community service hours were countless until his health prevented his involvement. Some of John’s community service involvement included the Salem Ruritan Club, Salem Education Foundation, Culpeper Dawn Lions Club, Northern VA 4-H Foundation, and he was also a Moderator and Deacon at Slate Mills Baptist Church. His love for his community and the citizens of Culpeper County led him to receive many awards. The Good Scout Award, Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission Distinguished Leadership Government Award, Independence Day Parade Grand Marshal, Culpeper Colonel Award and the L.B. Henretty Award are among these distinguished honors.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Betty Kennedy Coates, his siblings and their spouses, Hugh and Rosalind Coates of Haywood, VA; Sally Frances Thornhill of Boston, VA; and Paul and Ann Coates of Etlan, VA and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his siblings Virginia Ruth “Sis” Brown, James E. Coates, Robert H. Coates, Lucy Mildred Matthews, Joseph M. Coates, Charlie R. Coates, William Clayton Coates and Delma R. Coates.
The family wishes to express its appreciation to Pastors Sandy Martin of Slate Mills Baptist Church, Mike Dodson of New Salem Baptist Church and David Blevins, formally of Remington Baptist Church, all of whom will be officiating at the service. Many thanks also to Dr. Devincentis and the staff at Commonwealth Medical of Culpeper.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Culpeper Baptist Church, 318 S. West St., Culpeper, VA
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Culpeper Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Culpeper National Cemetery (New Section) with military honors provided by Culpeper VFW Post 2524.
Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Hospice of the Piedmont, Attn: Advancement Office 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911 or or to the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Court Glen Allen, VA 23060.
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is serving the Coates family.