Don Gene Coates

Don Gene Coates, age 88, of Glenwood, died Thursday, September 15, 2011. He was born on July 17, 1923, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the oldest son of Clyde Coates, Sr. and Fannie Ferris Coates. On December 20, 1945, he was married to Ruby Kirchhoff in San Antonio, Texas. She preceded him in death on December 29, 2009. He was also preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Clyde Coates, Jr. and Norman Lee Coates; his sister, Valerie Joyce Coates; and his half-brother, Leo C. Grant. On February 14, 1941, Don joined the United States Navy, nine months before the attack on Pearl Harbor. After 21 years of service, being stationed on many naval air stations and aboard many ships, he found himself stationed in Okinawa and decided he had been away from family long enough. He retired from the service and moved back to the little farm in Arkansas with his wife, Ruby. Don enjoyed the area very much and served on board of directors of the Montgomery County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Montgomery County Farm Bureau. He was instrumental in the organization of the Sharp Top 4-H Club, which won many awards. He was a deacon in the Caddo Gap Baptist Church and later enjoyed his membership in the Black Springs Baptist Church. Don was employed with John Plyler Plumbing for 15 years and raised Hereford cattle on his farm. He is survived by many nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, September 18, 2011, in the Davis-Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Glenwood with Bro. Brian Adair officiating. Visitation will be Saturday, 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Interment will be in the Glenwood Cemetery with full military honors. Pallbearers will be Keith Kirchhoff, Chris Kirchhoff, Steve Kirchhoff, Fred Kirchhoff, Trey Kirchhoff, Edward Kirchhoff, Craig Kirchhoff and Myles Overton. Memorials may be made to the Glenwood Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 1208, Glenwood, Arkansas, 71943. Guest registry is at www.davis-smith.com.