A native of Rochester, N.Y., he was the son of the late George Henry Coats and Carrie Fuller Coats. He worked as a chemical engineer for Pfaudler Company and was stationed with the U.S. Army in the Phillippine Islands during World War II.

Survivors include his wife, Joyce Ehmke Coats' two daughters, Sandy C. Campbell and her husband David of Raleigh and Sheryl C. Lucas and her husband Gary of Rochester, N.Y.; one son, Richard L. Coats and his wife, Cheryl Ann of Wake Forest; and four grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held today (Wednesday) at 11 a.m. in the L. Harold Poole Funeral Home Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to Northern Wake Senior Center, 235 E. Holding Ave., Wake Forest, NC, 27587 or to a charity of your choice.