Robert "Bob" Roy Coats Jr.

Robert R. Coats, Jr. (Bob), 89, of Birmingham, Alabama went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 7, 2026. He was born to Roy and Logene Coats on May 29, 1936 in Birmingham, Alabama. Bob was a graduate of Georgia Military Academy and later Auburn University with a degree in Aeronautical Administration. After graduating from Auburn he served proudly in the United States Navy, and later the Naval Reserve, as a Naval Aviator. He was married to the love of his life, Brenda M. Coats on January 1, 1966. Bob spent his career with IBM and Teredata in several different sales and management roles before retiring in 2002. He was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hiking, camping, fishing, and simply being out in the beauty of God’s creation. He also loved all things aviation. He served for years as a volunteer in the Civil Air Patrol, moving all the way up to Wing Commander in the Atlanta area chapter. Later, after moving back to Birmingham to Danberry at Inverness, he stayed active by playing pool volleyball, chair volleyball, Wii bowling, and walking 2 miles every day. But his greatest passion in life was investing and developing young men for the cause of Christ. Bob started and directed 2 different Royal Ambassador programs at Eastside Baptist Church and Johnsons Ferry Baptist Church over a span of 40 years. His legacy is in the young men that came through those programs and went on to impact the world for Christ. He has been preceded in death by his father Roy and his mother Logene, as well as his wife Brenda. He is survived by his 2 children Bobby Coats (Wendy) and Betsy Hart (Hollis). He is also survived by 5 grandchildren - Chris Coats (Paeton), Ashlyn West (Cam), Jack Hart, Houston Hart, Taylor Hart, and 2 great grandchildren Audrey Hill West and Keenen Christopher Coats. He has a 3rd great grandchild, Cameron Joel (CJ) West arriving in early April.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Bob’s memory to Dawson Memorial Baptist Church or The Danberry Employee Appreciation Fund.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, with a chapel service to follow at noon at Southern Heritage Funeral Home.

Burial Service will follow at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, Alabama.