He is survived by two sons, Dale (Bethany) Coats and Gary (Elspeth) Coats, grandson Kyle Coats (fiancée Ashley Rucha), and granddaughter Dakota Coats. He was married to Judith Coats (Dumar) on April 25, 1964, who preceded him in death in 2009.
Francis grew up on a dairy farm and went to a one room schoolhouse while in elementary school. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin. Francis enjoyed an extensive career as an Aerospace engineer retiring from General Motors after 46 years working on many various programs including missile guidance systems, GM’s tank project, as well as automobile anti-lock brakes and air bag systems. His career brought the family to Rochester Hills, Michigan in 1974, living in the same house until his death. After moving to the suburbs he continued his green thumb with spectacular vegetable gardens, 400+ pound pumpkins, and giant sunflowers that often reached above the roof of his home. Francis never met anyone he considered a stranger for long as he loved talking to everyone he met. He enjoyed going to all of the activities and sporting events of his children and especially grandchildren playing basketball, football, cross country, soccer, and lacrosse. He enjoyed meeting new people at any activity and was always looking to lend a helping hand to anyone that needed anything. He was involved in community outreach in areas of at risk youth assistance, animal rights, and Hemlock society.
Visitation will be held at Pixley Funeral Home in downtown Rochester on Monday, July 1, 2019 from 4:00-8:00pm and Tuesday, July 2, 2019 from 10:00-11:00am followed by a sharing of memories service at 11:00am. There will be a luncheon afterward at the Rochester Community House. Burial will take place at noon on Friday, July 5 at Oak Knoll Cemetery in Mukwonago, Wisconsin.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Leader Dogs for the Blind online at www.leaderdog.org or the World Wildlife Fund online at www.worldwildlife.org. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
