George David Coatta

Dave was born on February 19, 1938, in Dearborn, Michigan, and passed on February 9, 2026, in Greensboro, North Carolina—just shy of his 88th birthday. Nearly nine decades of stories, friendships, laughter, and quiet strength.

In Michigan, he was a teacher and a coach-one of those steady figures who shaped young lives without ever needing recognition for it. Later, he moved our family to North Carolina and began a second chapter in the game he loved most: golf.

He owned golf stores, talked golf, and played as much of it as he possibly could. Golf wasn't just a sport to him—it was joy, community, and rhythm. He played until age gently told him it was time to slow down.

But what defined him wasn't his career. It was the way he moved through the world. He was a private man. A simple man. The loveliest man. A true gentleman. He never met a stranger. He remembered everyone-people from every chapter of his life, every town, every job. His memory for names and stories was unmatched. And he told those stories so well. Sitting with him meant laughter, history, and somehow feeling like you mattered deeply. He didn't need the spotlight. He didn't need much at all. He found happiness in the simple things-conversation, a well-played round of golf, time spent with people he cared about. He lived gently. He loved deeply. And he was so, so loved.

The world feels different without him in it. But how lucky we are to have had him—his stories, his steadiness, his example of what it means to be kind and faithful and good. There will never be another Dave. And what a gift it was that he was ours.

He is preceded in death by his siblings Betty, Helen, and John. By his son Kevin, and by the love of his life, his wife Sue.

Dave is survived by his daughters Amy King (Harvey) and Heidi York (David), and grandchildren Emily Abner (Chris), Benjamin King, Gracie Buring (Steven), John King, Kameran Coatta, Josh York, and Piper York.

Visitation will be at Hanes Lineberry at 515 N Elm in Greensboro, NC on February 21, 2026 from 2-4pm

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to his church, Irving Park United Methodist.