Gerald I. Coates

June 8, 1948-Oct. 3, 2011

PARKS, Nebraska -- Gary Irwin Coates, 63, died Monday (Oct. 3, 2011) at Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Nebraska.

He was born June 8, 1948 to the Rev. Harold I. and Carolyn Irene (Stone) Coates in Holdrege, Nebraska. His father served many churches across the state of Nebraska.

In 1972, he married Carole Geiken in the Gothenburg United Methodist Church. They lived in Royal, Nebraska where he worked at the rearing station for Nebraska Game and Parks Department. He was a member of the Royal Volunteer Fire Department and was a Boy Scout leader.

In 1989, the family moved to Parks, Nebraska where he assumed the duties at Rock Creek Fish Hatchery, a position he held until his death. He was slated to be honored by Gov. Heineman Oct. 20, for his 40 years of employment with Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Fisheries Division.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church and continued to serve as a Boy Scout leader.

He was preceded in death by his father; and a brother-in-law, David Geiken.

Survivors include his wife, Carole of Parks; daughters, Jennifer and husband, Darrell Chancellor of Gothenburg and Elizabeth and husband, Thomas Kehler of Culbertson; his mother, the Rev. C. Irene Coates of Chapman, Nebraska; brothers, Larry and wife, Kris Coates of Chapman, the Rev. Dale Coates of Arnold, Nebraska, Duane and wife, Kim Coates of Grand Island, Nebraska, and Glenn and wife, Amy Coates of Blair, Nebraska; and four grandchildren.

Memorial services are at 9 a.m., Thursday at the United Methodist Church in Benkelman with the Rev. Corey Jenkins officiating. Inurnment will follow services at the Grandview Cemetery in Gothenburg, Nebraska, at 4 p.m.

There will be no visitation or viewing.

A memorial fund has been set up at AmFirst Bank in Benkelman.

Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman is in charge of arrangements.