Gary Wade Coats

            Mr. Gary Wade Coats, age 71, formerly of Buffalo, passed away Monday, August 14, 2023 at Heartland/ProMedica in Union. Mr. Coats was the widower of Sharon Tucker Garner Coats who passed away June of 2019.

            Born in Olean, NY, January 4, 1952, he was the son of the late Quentin and Roberta Hibbard. Coats. He was a 1972 graduate of Central Christian College and was an active member of Welcome Baptist Church in Union. In 1973, he founded the Suburban Church Slow-Pitch Softball League with seven teams. When he moved to Union in 2004, there were 66 teams.

            Mr. Coats was an avid genealogist, who traced the Coats Family back to Thomas Coates born in 1423. He is the direct descendant of William “the Lion” King of Scotland, William “the Conqueror” King of England, and Charlemagne “King of the Holy Roman Empire”. He is also related to five families who crossed over on the Mayflower.

            Mr. Coats is survived by two sons, Matt Coats and Rex Coats of Rochester, NY; one stepdaughter, Whitney Garner of Union; a sister, Debbie Coley of Rochester, NY; a special nephew, Alan Coats of Olean, NY; and five grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife Donna Brenneman Coats who died October of 2003; a sister, Rhonda Coats; a brother, Timothy Coats; his stepmother, Delores Patterson and stepfather, Norman Peterson.

            Funeral services will be held at 4:00 PM Thursday, August 17, 2023 at Welcome Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Robert Jarvis. Burial will follow at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery.

            Memorials may be made to Welcome Baptist Church, 206 Nichols Ave., Union, SC 29379.

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