Alfred Coats

1936 - 2025

Alfred Coats
03/12/1936 - 08/08/2025
In Loving Memory of Dr. Alfred Cornell Coats (1936–2025)
With deep sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved father, Dr. Alfred Cornell Coats, who died peacefully on August 8, 2025 at the age of 89.
Al was loved and cherished by his family. He is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Dee; his children and their spouses, David and Caroline, and Beth and Joe Reilly; his brother Bill; and his five grandchildren Kate, Claire, Luke, Evan, and Brooke. He also leaves behind many extended family members, dear friends, and colleagues who admired and respected him.
Born on March 12, 1936, in Portland, Oregon, Al was the eldest of three sons to Helen and Al Coats. He spent his early years in Tillamook and later in Lake Oswego, Oregon, where his love for family and learning first took root. To avoid confusion with two Al's in the house, his parents called him Cornell. A spirited and curious child, his nickname quickly became "Corney", capturing both his sense of humor and lively personality.
One of the great adventures of his youth was joining his father as co-pilot on a widely covered private plane journey known as the "Portland Air Tour" -- a successful cross-country flight from Portland, Oregon, to Portland, Maine.
A gifted student, Al attended Lakeside School in Seattle and graduated with high honors from Stanford University before earning his MD from Baylor College of Medicine. His career was as brilliant as it was impactful. He served as a professor at Baylor for 28 years, publishing over 70 peer-reviewed papers and more than 10 books and invited chapters. Among his many contributions to medical science, he developed a diagnostic test for inner ear imbalance, established a specialized lab and taught an internationally attended course on the subject.
His expertise extended beyond medicine into space science, where he worked with NASA to invent a test that could predict susceptibility to space sickness. He served as Director of the Space Life Sciences Division for the Universities Space Research Association for a decade.
In addition to his academic and scientific achievements, Al was also a successful entrepreneur. He purchased and led Life Tech Medical Instruments as President and CEO, transforming it into a sizable medical device company that was eventually acquired. After retirement, Al joined Millar Instruments as Chairman of the Board, and was chairman of the Life Sciences Group of the Houston Angel Network.
Despite all of his accomplishments, Al remained humble, kind, and grounded. A lifelong learner, Al was a certified SCUBA diver, a bridge player, a gamer, an avid reader of sci-fi novels, and a traveler. In preparation for a trip to Egypt, he once spent months teaching himself hieroglyphics. He loved spending time with close friends, including Friday night dinners at the Forest Club and monthly FEG Group luncheons with a close group of friends who would present and discuss topics of interest.
Al was a gentle and generous family man, with a quiet wit and a warm smile. He rarely raised his voice and never sought the spotlight. He lived a life of purpose, integrity, study, and compassion.
We are heartbroken by his loss and grateful for the legacy he leaves behind. His love and wisdom continue to guide us, and he will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Christian Community Service Center or a charity of your choice.
May this extraordinary man rest in peace.