Obituary for John Jack William Coates John (Jack) William Coates was born May 16th, 1933 to Donald T. and Ruth E. Coates in East Moline, Illinois. His parents came west in 1937. It was the depression, and they threw everything they owned in the back of a car, along with Jack.
Eventually the family landed in Kennewick, where Jack graduated with the class of 1952 from Irwin S. Black High School, now known as Kennewick High School. Jack served his country and was honorably discharged from the Army in 1956. After completing his education at Eastern Washington University, he became an elementary school teacher in Pasco.
There he met the love of his life, Nancy Bacon, who became his wife in 1959. Soon the family grew to include children: Debbie, Jacqui and David. Jack was later employed, as the elementary principal in the Soap Lake District, and later moved to the Yelm School District.
He served as the principal of several elementary schools, including Southworth Elementary, which opened under his direction. Jack was a beloved principal and was known as “the kind of principal everybody wanted to work for”. Jack was an advocate for his students and his teachers.
He often did this by playing outside during recess, covering lunch duty (stealing bananas), and making sure teachers had the time and supplies needed to provide the very best education for the families of the Yelm Community. Jack was a friend to everyone he met. He had the ability to make connections and make others feel comfortable through his stories and humor.
He was a model of love and laughter to family and friends. Left to honor his memory are his children: Debbie (Greg) Fancher, Jacqui (Scott) Johnson, and son David Coates. He leaves one brother Ted (Phyllis) Coates, and brother in law Alan (Judy) Bacon.
Jack had nine wonderful grandchildren: McKenzie, Cameron, Madysen, Iolanda, Zack, Lacee, Nicolae, Josh, and Alicia. He was also blessed with ten great-grandchildren in his life. He will be missed by his dear friend Rita Denson, and his nieces and nephews: Don, Kaylie, Joy, and Kelsey.
He was preceded in death by his wife Nancy Coates, his parents Don and Ruth Coates, and his brother William, who died in infancy. Jack’s Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, April 24 at 2:00, at the Central Church Chapel, in Richland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jack’s memory to the Jack Coates Principals’ Scholarship Fund: Yelm Community Education Foundation PO Box 239 Yelm, WA 98597 Memo: Memory of Jack Coates To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of John Jack William Coates please visit our Sympathy Store.
Upcoming Events Celebration of Life 2018 APR 24. 02:00 PM Central Church 1124 Stevens Dr. Richland, WA, US, 99354 Order Flowers for the Celebration of Life Guaranteed delivery before John’s Celebration of Life begins.
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