Raymond Merle Coates

Sergeant Major (Retired) Raymond M. Coates, of Bartlett and Cedar Grove, Tennessee, died Saturday, November 26, 2016 after a long illness. Mr. Coates was retired—first from the United States Army, and next from the Memphis International Airport Authority—and was known throughout the Jackson area as a kind and benevolent man. Active in raising funds for charity through the West Tennessee Antique Car Club, he was skilled at the restoration of vintage automobiles. A 1954 graduate of North Side High School, Mr. Coates joined the United States Army and advanced over the years to the rank of Sergeant Major, specializing in Ordnance and Armor. A graduate of the US Army Armor School and the US Army Infantry School, SGM Coates was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor as a result of his actions under hostile fire that saved a convoy being attacked from two directions.
Returning to the United States, he went on to assume the Directorate of Maintenance for Armored Track Vehicles at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, supervising the largest facility of its sort in the world. He served as a consultant on propulsion systems for the XM1 Battle Tank, which later evolved to become the Abrams M1A1 Main Battle Tank, the most technologically advanced tank in the world. Upon retirement in the early 80’s, he assumed a supervisory position at the Memphis International Airport Authority, from which he also retired. During his time at Ft. Knox, Mr. Coates was recognized by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky as a Kentucky Colonel, a distinction that was awarded as a result of his distinguished community service and support of the annual Kentucky Derby activities and parade in Louisville. He was also active as a volunteer for the then Old Kentucky Home Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam recently recognized Mr. Coates in a letter of thanks for his service to his nation as a native son of Tennessee. A follower of Christ since childhood, he will be buried at Cotton Grove Church in Jackson, TN, where he first proclaimed his faith as a child. Sergeant Major Coates spent the last years of his life closely accompanied by his son Chris and daughter-in-law Lori, who helped him enjoy the things he appreciated most; fishing, attending church, working on his farm, gardening, visiting car shows, and joining friends around the table for Friday night suppers. Active at Twin Oaks Baptist Church in Cedar Grove, the strong sentiment in the Cedar Grove Community is that he will be greatly missed, and that a wonderful man has passed.
He is survived by his wife Nancy J. Coates of Bartlett, TN, son Christopher E. Coates of Arlington, TN, daughter, Jennifer Smith of Memphis, TN, three sisters, Dorothy Clements of Marion, AR, Doris Tomlinson of Memphis, TN, Virginia Lindsey, Jackson, TN, five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents George Raymond Coates and Lola Stanfill Coates.
SERVICES: Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 3, 2016 at 12:00 noon in the chapel of Arrington Funeral Directors. The family will receive friends from 10:00AM until service time at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Cotton Grove Baptist Church Cemetery with Military Honors.
Those serving as pallbearers will be Edward Coates, Evan Coates, Jerry Clements, Jr, Rich Lindsey, Jerry Griggs and John Phillips.
The family has requested in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be directed to Army Emergency Relief, 2530 Crystal Drive, Suite 13161, 13th Floor, Arlington, VA 22202.
Arrington Funeral Directors, 148 W. University Parkway, Jackson, TN 38305 731-668-1111 www.arringtonfunerlgroup.com .