John Otts Coan III

John Otts Coan, III of Raleigh, NC, entered into the more immediate presence of our Lord and Savior on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at the age of 71. He was born on September 14, 1953, in Winston-Salem, NC.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John Coan, Jr. and Frances Coan, and by his half-sister Pamela Hanks.

John graduated from Duke University with a BA Degree in Economics and Psychology and had a lifelong affection for Duke. He also attended Mount Hermon School in Massachusetts, and Reynolds High School and Summit School in Winston-Salem.

John retired as the Director of the Information Systems Division of the North Carolina Department of Insurance working for Insurance Commissioner Jim Long, a job that he loved. Previously he worked for the Division of Purchase and Contract in the Department of Administration. John began his career in state government at the Department of Natural Resources and Community Development. He was a project award winner and graduate of the State Government Public Manager Program and was an active member of the State Employees Association of NC.

John was a member of Raleigh Moravian Church. He was active in the Church band for several years, playing the trumpet and cornet. John served on the Church’s Graveyard Committee that worked to establish the Moravian God’s Acre at Oakwood Cemetery. He grew up attending Trinity Moravian Church in Winston-Salem.

John was a Master Mason, member of Hiram 40 Masonic Lodge, and also a member of the Valley of Raleigh Scottish Rite and the Amran Shrine Temple. He was a former member of the Board of the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford, NC, and of the Special Insurance Committee of the Grand Lodge.

As a young man John was active in the Young Democrats and was elected as a Jimmy Carter Delegate to the 1980 Democratic National Convention. He also served as Chairman of the Raleigh Cablevision Commission. John was often called upon to serve as Parliamentarian at meetings and conventions due to his detailed knowledge of Roberts Rules of Order.

John was a member of Mensa and a trivia enthusiast. He was an avid photographer, amateur radio operator, and truly enjoyed traveling to Europe, the Caribbean and Carolina beaches. John was a loving husband, and a kind and caring man with a quick wit and a great sense of humor.

John is survived by his wife, Anne Coan of Raleigh, and by four nieces, Marna Bowen (husband John) and Parka Wearn, both of Georgia; Alyson Riddick (husband Shane) and Marcie Hill (husband Dave), both of North Carolina; by his great nieces and nephews John, Lauren, Hannah, Brandon, Scotti, Bryson, and Everett; by his brother-in-law Mel Fratzke (wife Sheila) and sister-in-law Margaret Cahoon (husband Lynn); and several great-great nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank John’s kind and attentive medical providers, and also the caring staff of Sunrise of Raleigh.

Family and friends were invited to attend a graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery, Moravian God’s Acre, 701 Oakwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 (which was also live streamed https://www.youtube.com/@MitchellFuneralHomeatRMP) with a reception and gathering that followed at Raleigh Moravian Church, 1816 Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC, following the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider donations in memory of John to:

Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina https://foodbankcenc.org/

Raleigh Moravian Church http://www.raleighmoravian.org/giving

North Carolina Farm Bureau Foundation, Disaster Relief Fund https://www.ncfb.org/relief-fund/ or to the charity of your choice.

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