Robert Coates

Robert Eugene Coates of Littleton, CO passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 and was taken to the welcoming arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ. He was 96 years old. He joins his dear wife of 58 years, Mrs. Dorothy Mary Mobley Coates who passed in 2012, and a son, Daniel Coates, who died while still a child. He survived the Great Depression, being shot down behind enemy lines in WWII, Hepatitis, night sorties in Vietnam, hyperthyroidism and COVID-19, but in the end, his body, at last, relented. He is survived by 7 children: Mrs. Mary Anne Wright (Brad) of Kearneysville, WV; Mr. Paul Coates (Donna) of Englewood, CO; Mr. Kelly Coates (Jennifer) of Warwick, RI; Mrs. Rebecca Jensen (Christian) of Littleton, CO; Ms. Caroline Folkman of Highlands Ranch, CO; Mrs. Elizabeth Tannyhill (John) of Belmont, MA and Mr. Curtis Coates (Emily) of Amman, Jordan; 24 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren with another 2 on the way. They will all miss family trips to the North Carolina beaches, working in the yard or garage with him, polishing shoes and listening to stories of his adventures and his bold testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ.

Bob was born in Phoenix, AZ in 1924 and learned hard work at a young age on his family’s dairy farm, rising early to milk the cows and process and deliver the milk to neighbors before school, then milking and repeating the process again each evening. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 and soon found himself as captain of a B-17 Flying Fortress, 381st Bomb Group, 8th Air Force, in Ridgewell, England supporting the Battle of the Bulge—bombing strategic military, industrial, and transportation targets of Nazi Germany and completing 35 bombing missions. His dedication and bravery were rewarded with many medals and awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Service Medal of Honor, the Bronze Star and the Gallantry Cross, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Air Medal with 9 oak leaf clusters. Lt. Colonel Robert E. Coates served in the United States Air Force for 31 years until he retired in July of 1973. He served in Cold War Germany, as Commander of the 9th Special Operations Squadron in Danang and Nah Trang, Vietnam and was Chief of Operations for the airfield at Andrews AFB—home base of Air Force One and arrival gateway for visiting heads of state including Leonid Brezhnev, Indira Gandhi, Golda Meir, and others, many of whom he met and served. He was truly a member of the Greatest Generation.

After leaving the Air Force he worked as the Operations Supervisor for Stapleton Airport in Denver, then the 4th busiest airport in the world. Under his careful dedication, the airport only had to close once in 15 years due to snow, and then only for 15 hours. A record not previously matched and not yet replicated at the airport in Denver.

Bob was a dedicated and faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While deployed, he served as President of the Vietnam Military District from 1968 -1969, where he oversaw 4,000 LDS servicemen and women and 22 separate congregations. He served as Bishop, or congregation leader, for three congregations in Aurora, Colorado from 1975 to 1983 and for the Golsboro Second Ward, North Carolina from 2001 to 2004. He served with his wife as LDS Mission President of the Fort Lauderdale, Florida Mission from 1987 to 1990 where they directed the missionary efforts of over 300 missionaries in southeast Florida and the Bahamas. They then served as Directors of the Mormon Battalion Visitors Center in San Diego, California from 1991 to 1993. He and Dorothy dedicated themselves to serving God by serving others throughout all of their life together, setting an example to their children and grandchildren of Christ-like service.

His favorite pastimes were spending time with his family and working on house and garden projects with Dorothy, fixing things and repairing cars. Grandchildren remember him as their hardworking, fit grandfather that played ball on the beach and could do 13 pullups.

During his lifetime he fed many, clothed many, housed many, fixed the broken lives and possessions of many and found ways to pay for college for promising young people lacking resources. He strove to be a man of God in a quiet, humble way. He has a new mission now. As in life, he will uplift the souls of many. He will not be resting in peace, he will be serving, always serving and bringing peace to those around him.

Private family funeral services will be held for Robert Coates on Friday April 9th at 12:30 and he will be interred at Fort Logan National Cemetery.  We invite all who would like to celebrate his life to please join this  Zoom LINK: https://zoom.us/j/92993969432?pwd=VTVHUGFYejVYODlSR1FYbHMrWmJwZz09 Meeting ID: 929 9396 9432     Passcode:    Littleton

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be sent in Robert Coates' memory to Brigham Young University General Scholarship fund through this link: https://donate.churchofjesuschrist.org/donations/byu/scholarships Please indicate in the memorandum section that you would like to notify Paul Coates at paul@coatesvilla.com of your donation.

Condolences may be sent C/O Mrs. Rebecca Jensen, 2 Finch, Littleton, CO 80127.