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TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF OSCAR EDDIE COATES, SR., OF LANCASTER COUNTY AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS LARGE AND LOVING FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were saddened to learn of the death of Oscar Eddie Coates, Sr., on February 16, 2013, at the venerable age of eighty; and
Whereas, born in Columbia on October 19, 1932, he was a son of the late John Edward and Nettie Belle Catoe Coates; and
Whereas, he retired as assistant director of the South Carolina Public Service Commission Transportation Department. In addition, he served as a Kershaw County deputy and was former chief of police for the Town of Kershaw; and
Whereas, answering the call of his country, this steadfast patriot served with honor and distinction in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict; and
Whereas, as a man of faith, he was a dedicated member of Kershaw's First Baptist Church; and
Whereas, Oscar Eddie Coates loved music and for a number of years was a regular who played at the Capitol Café across from the Statehouse, where live music on Tuesday nights was an institution and a classic, afterhours watering hole for many a legislator, judge, government leader, and staff; and
Whereas, his family was the focus of Mr. Coates' life, and he is survived by his loving wife of fifty-seven years, Billie Windham Coates; two fine sons and their wives, Rick and Pam Coates and Eddie and Karen Coates; a devoted daughter and son-in-law, Jeri and Roy Gwinn; five grandchildren, Kyle Coates, Lance (Ashley) Coates, Joseph (Mindy) Coates, Reg (Cori) Gwinn, and Angela Gwinn; three great-grandchildren, Wyatt Hinson, Grant Coates, and Caroline Gwinn; four brothers, W.L. "Bill" (Bobbie Jean) Coates, Elmer "Cotton" Coates, Emerson (Pat) Coates, and Joel (Wanda) Coates; and a sister-in-law, Linda Coates; and
Whereas, he was preceded in death by a brother, Harold Bruce Coates, Sr., and two sisters, Mildred Simpson and Jonnie C. Gardner; and
Whereas, the members of the House of Representatives are grateful for the life and legacy of this son of South Carolina and the example of compassion and kindness he set for all who knew him. He will be greatly missed. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Oscar Eddie Coates, Sr., of Lancaster County and extend their deepest sympathy to his large and loving family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Mrs. Billie Windham Coates for the family.
This web page was last updated on February 28, 2013 at 11:57 AM