John was born in Denver, CO to Robert and Carol (Will) Lee. Unfortunately, his father passed away when he was only eight. At this point, his mother Carol, and his siblings, Marsha and Bob, were in a moment of transition until they all found the future father and husband of 61 years in John Ingles Coats. The family soon accepted the Coats name and gained one of the greatest father figures anyone could ever ask her.
This began a wonderful journey that took the Coats Family around the world. Now in a military family, John’s parents John and Carol Coats, siblings Marsha, Bob Coats,and Paul Coats called many places home. They had spent time in Georgia,Texas, Alabama,Germany,Kansas, Arizona, Guatemala, Colorado and Virginia.
When John was young, the Coats Family moved to Guatemala. Guatemala left a lasting impression on John and he loved speaking Spanish. He loved the Latin American culture. The Coats’ often would have to pack up and call a new place home which exposed him to many different cultures, perspectives and experiences.
He decided to call Northern Virginia home and met his future wife Diana (Dunn) Coats in Vienna, Virginia. He called Northern Virginia home for over 35 years, and was a longtime resident of Lake Jackson (Manassas, VA). He lived on the Occoquan River and enjoyed fishing with his bass boat with his black labs Boo and Cooper. He was an avid gardener and had a vibrant green house and garden.
They welcomed two children, Crystal and Charles Coats, into the world. He adored his children and often would tailor new adventures any chance he got: hiking, berry picking, family dinners, fishing, spontaneous traveling, family reunions and cooking for his loved ones. Everyone has a memory of his famous cookies, chicken and pickles. He often would give them out as gifts, sending them across the country.
One of his greatest accomplishments was his sobriety. After getting sober in 1981, it became his life’s work to dive deep into the recovery and sobriety community. When he wasn’t working, at home or with his children, he was in the basement of Churches or outside at a park with his AA “family.” In the 90s, he attended LifeSpring and started leading others in their personal transformation and became a Life Coach for anyone recovering and becoming more they could ever imagine. He has sponsored and coached others for many years and the impact of ripples through the recovery and sobriety community.
Later in life, John, along with many of his recovery family, co-founded “Club Hope” a recovery and sobriety non-profit in Manassas, Virginia. In September of 2021, he would have celebrated 40 years of sobriety. He referred to his sobriety date as his actual birthday. He always had a strong sense of duty and service to his friends, family, and community anywhere he called home.
After he retired, he moved back to Colorado to be closer to his family out West. After the passing of his father, John I. Coats, he assumed one role that he was inherently remarkable at: caregiver of this mother Carol.
He loved taking long car rides with his dog Cooper in the backseat wagging his tail to the most scenic views, the hottest of hot springs, the dog park with the most dogs, the small towns with the best coffee and food and any fishing hole. Everyday was just a little bit different and that is what he wanted.
John loved to laugh and make others laugh. He was a joyful, free spirit that treasured simple pleasures: time with loved ones, getting lost and found, not having a plan, having a fire, growing a garden, and getting a smile from the most serious of faces (think Patch Adams).
He was a kind, generous, and loving father, brother, uncle, cousin, neighbor, co-worker, sponsor and friend to many. He believed that he was at his best when he was in service of others and making a difference in this world.
He touched many lives and John's legacy will be carried on. He leaves behind: His children Crystal and Charles Coats, his mother Carol, his sister Marsha Sperling and husband Doug and their kids Tyson, Katelyn, Thad and Noah, his brother Bob, his wife Trudy and their kids Fawn, Shayla, Theo, Kendrick and Clara, his brother Paul, his wife Patricia and their kids Bjorn, Ilsa and Stellan, his aunt Kay, Max and Peg, his cousin Mike and Bonnie and their kids Ari and Kelsey, and countless other loved ones.
His loved ones will miss his unique personality and sense of humor; one that often would light up the room.
He would often call a whole room family, even if they were not.
He would often go out of his way to take care of someone at the lowest of lows.
He would often buy the meal/drink for the car behind him in the drive thru line.
He would often take the scenic route, just to be present in having lived another day.
He would often be the first one there and the last one to leave.
John Coats will always remain in memory as the kind and gentle soul that he was for so many. May he rest in peace until we all meet him again.
If desired, Memorial donations can be made in lieu of flowers to Castle Rock Clubhouse and The Unity Club of Falls Church, Virginia and Orient Land Trust.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on April 11, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Phillip S. Miller Regional Park, 1381 Plum Creek Pkwy., Castle Rock, CO.
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