Robert L. Coates

Order Flowers

March 21st, 1933 - August 20th, 2012 79 Years

 

Visitation

No Visitation Scheduled

 

Service

August 25th, 2012 at 11:00 am
First Presbyterian Church
404 West Reynolds Street, Plant City, Florida 33563

 
Obituary

Robert L. Coates, 79

Lakeland-Robert L. Coates passed away on August 20, 2012 at home due to complications from pancreatic cancer.
Bob was born in St. Louis, Missouri on March 21, 1933, to Rev. and Mrs. C.H. Coates, the youngest of seven children.
He graduated from Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois in 1956 with a BA degree in Biology/Education.
In 1958, he graduated from the University of Illinois with a Master of Social Work Degree.
At the time of his retirement in 1996, Bob was Director of Mental Health Services at the Winter Haven Hospital.
He was predeceased by his parents, brother, Merlin Coates (Evelyn), sisters, Norma Schien (John), Lorene Groves (Wayne), Roberta Young (Lindh) and step daughter, Glyn Cay Bailey.
Bob is survived by his sister, Fadra Delamarter (Walter), and brother, Rev. Herbert Coates (Mary) and his wife of 34 years, Joann Mabry Coates, daughters, Vicki Langston (Larry), Lisa Coates, Lori Parker and Julie Tucker (Rick), step sons, Dan Mann (Renee) and Charles Mann (Mitzi), step daughter, Cindy Berry (Vince), grandchildren, Adam and Erin Langston, Spencer Thoman, Sarah and Natalie Bailey, Sherilyn Young, Loren VanDruff, Emily, D.W., Jake, Amelia and Mabry Mann, Kari and Garett Schultz and Jasmin Mann, Derrick Comparato and Lexi Berry, great grandchildren, Noah Mann, Baylee Young, Jake and Bodhi Comparato and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church, Plant City, Fl, followed by a reception in the social hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 404 West Reynolds St, Plant City, Fl 33563 or United Food Bank of Plant City, 702 East Alsobrook St, Plant City, Fl 33563 or Rivers of the World (ROW), PMB 64, 6625 Hwy. 53 East, Suite 410, Dawsonville, Ga 30534.
...

 

Offer Condolences or Share your Memories





 

12 Condolences / Memories

David & Dorothy Johnson on August 28th, 2012 - 2:04 pm said:
Mrs. Coates, We were very sorry to hear of your sad loss. Sincere condolences to you & your family. David & Dorothy Johnson

Nick Sudzina on August 27th, 2012 - 2:53 pm said:
Bob was a wonderful person who had compassion for others. I always learned something when Bob spoke and he was such an attribute to the court system for many years. He was a very influential advocate for children also.

Lora Lindsey on August 25th, 2012 - 9:25 pm said:
JoAnn and family, I\\\'m so very sorry for your loss. Jo Ann, I pray that the Lord provides comfort and beautiful memories for you. God bless you as you move on in the days ahead.

Mark & Beverly (Groves) Cartwright on August 25th, 2012 - 3:00 pm said:
Our deepest sympathy to Vicki, Lisa, Lori, Julie, and Aunt Joann. Uncle Bob will be missed so much. We always looked forward to seeing him at both the Memorial Day and the 4yr. Coates reunions. He was gifted with such a kindness and caring that it overflowed each time you spoke with him. He made me want to be a better person and learn how to convey that love of Christ to others. Bob came and stayed with my folks (Wayne and Lorene (Coates) Groves) during many summers. Mom always had stories of him playing with her kids. There will be many stories told, I\\\'m sure. He was a wonderful man and I was proud to call him my uncle. With love to each of you!!

Kevin and Kathy Kindelan on August 24th, 2012 - 12:20 am said:
Hi Joann: Kathy and I were sad to learn of Bob\'s death. We have fond memories of celebrating the Christmas season with both of you and your families and so many friends at your home first in Lakeland and then in Plant City. That time was a highlight of the season! I benefitted from Bob\'s wisdom, insights and humor while we both worked for the CMHC at the hospital. He set a remarkable standard for the mental health care of children and families. I hoped to be able to attend the memorial service on Saturday. For several months, I have been scheduled to present a workshop this Saturday for the Diocese of Orlando in Winter Park and that commitment will prevent me from attending Bob\'s service. I am sure many wonderful words will be used to describe Bob, all of which will be accurate. Bob and you are in our thoughts and prayers. Kevin and Kathy Kindelan

Carolyn and Gray Baldwin on August 23rd, 2012 - 2:52 am said:
Bob and Joann have been my lifelong friends. They both are paragons of graceful love and compassion and I am so blessed by your friendship, Joann. I shared many laughs and joys of working with Bob at the Winter Haven Community Mental Health Center and treasure those memories. Some of our favorite photos of our children in their young years are the ones Bob took of them in our back yard in Winter Haven. Our love surrounds you Joann and Bob is peaceful, now......we appreciate and will miss his presence among us. Love, Carolyn and Gray

Baldwin Bunkley, former CEO, Florida Council for Community Mental Health on August 23rd, 2012 - 1:36 am said:
My deepest sympathy to the Coate\'s family. I was fortunate to have known and worked with Bob for several years. His contributions to Florida\'s community

Sherry Delamarter Holmes on August 22nd, 2012 - 9:10 pm said:
Dear JoAnn, Vicki, Lisa, Lori and Julie and all of the Coates extended family. I am so grateful that Uncle Bob was my uncle. He taught me how to play chess, dance, and organize my closets. His laugh was contagious and the memory of that will always make me smile. He was such a funny, talented, man, and looked just like my Grandpa Coates. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the funeral. It makes me very sad. I am just so glad I got to see him recently at the family reunion. His passing was very sudden, but I am grateful he is with God and did not have to suffer very long. With deepest sympathy and love, Sherry

Ted Wright on August 22nd, 2012 - 5:01 pm said:
My prayers are with you all.

Harry Pettit on August 22nd, 2012 - 4:52 pm said:
Our sincere condolences to Joann and Bob\'s family and many friends. We appreciate his faithful service on the Board of Florida Presbyterian Homes and are blessed to have known him.

Debbie Kee on August 22nd, 2012 - 12:16 pm said:
Joann, I saw this in the paper and wanted to extend my heartfelt sympathy to you and your family during this sad time in your life. Time has really flown by. It has been 39 years since I last saw you, when you attended our wedding. Pat and I were just talking about you the other day and hoped you were well and happy. Although I didn\'t know your husband, he must have been a great man, because he married you! Again, I am so sorry for your loss. Debbie

Jonathan Lewis on August 22nd, 2012 - 11:24 am said:
Larry was my coworker, confidant and mentor in work AND in many, many aspects of my personal life. Even though we had 20 years between us, I always felt Larry was closer than a brother to me than as friend. Larry had an amazing wealth or knowledge that he gladly shared with all those that cared to learn. Learning, teaching, and passing down knowledge is a focus in life that I now follow as well...learned from the way Larry lived his life. I\'ll miss you Larry, and we will cross paths again. - Jonathan Lewis