CSM Ret. Coats, son of the late Ezell and Molester Smith Coats, was born October 2, 1932, along with his twin sister Annel, in Laurens County, Georgia. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served our country honorably(including the Korean War and two tours to Vietnam), for 30 years before retiring as Sergeant Major for the U.S. Army Infantry Board, Fort Benning, Georgia in June 1980, and later retiring after 12 years of civil service from the U.S. Army Military Police Activity, Fort Benning, Georgia. CSM Coats earned the Bronze Star Medal for heroic action, the Korean Service Medal(2 campaigns), Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm, Soldier's Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Infantryman's Badge(2nd Award), Master Parachutist Badge, Meritorious Service Medal(1st OLC), United Nations Service Award, National Defense Service Medal(1st OLC), Good Conduct Medal(8th Award), 5 Overseas Bars, and the Meritorious Unit Citation. He was a member of the Triple Nickel and Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Most endeared accomplishment was his addition to the Cusseta Road Church Of Christ.
Other than his parents, CSM Coats was preceded in death by his three sisters, Annel Clark, Verner Coats and Carrie Coats; three brothers, David, Clinton and James Coats. He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 32 plus years, Savanna Coats; one brother, Isiah(Mildred)Coats, children: Lawrence, Ronald, Timothy and Heinz Coats; Kenneth(Cydonna)Gray and Alena Shealey; god daughters, Mary Hockaday and Catherine Holmes; eleven grandchildren including Shannon, Lonie, Chenoa, Holly, Cassandra, Ronald, Jr., Kenneth II, Carmen, Christopher, Kayce and Justin; and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. The family would like tom extend a special thank you to his caretaker, Teresa Hinton who took extra special care of him during his illness, and a special niece, April Jones who has been assisting him for the last three years.