George Wesley Coats Jr.

George wesley coats, jr. was born in the tiny town of Knox City, Texas on August 13, 1936. George had one older sister, Norma, and grew up with his father George Wesley Coats, Sr, a local banker, and his mother Bonnie. As a child, George was fascinated by airplanes, including the many that flew over his hometown on training missions during World War II. He was an avid airplane model builder and remained so all his life. George was active in the local United Methodist Church. He was also active in the FFA, raising chickens and riding bulls in the local rodeo. He played six man football as a center and played high school basketball. He was selected as one of a handful of students from the State of Texas to travel to New York City for a youth conference at the new United Nations. While there, George met US Representative Robert F. Kennedy. While a teenager, George was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. At the time, the leading edge technology called for exposing the tumor to high doses of radiation. This procedure saved George's life, but also led to the neurological complications which later claimed his life. After graduating from Knox City High School, George attended McMurry College in Abilene, Texas. He excelled in Christian studies and was called to enter the ministry. George received his Bachelor's degree from McMurry. He attended seminary at Southern Methodist University and was married while a student there. After receiving his Masters in Divinity degree from SMU and being ordained in the Methodist Church, George decided to pursue a career in academia. He received his second Masters and PhD at Yale University. While enrolled in Yale, he studied in West Germany under preeminent theologian Gerhard Von Rad, who became George's mentor. George received his first full time teaching position at McMurry. He went on to a distinguished teaching career as a Professor of Old Testament Studies at the Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, Kentucky. While at LTS, George taught generations of ministers from most every Christian denomination, was a prolific author and editor of numerous books and articles on Old Testament theology, and frequently studied and taught abroad. George was fluent in 13 languages, including German and Ancient Hebrew, and taught German students in German at both Heidelberg and Hamburg Universities. George was also a guest lecturer around the world, including at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and led archeological expeditions in the Sinai. George took every opportunity to preach and minister to local congregations, preferring small rural churches in need of interim ministers between seminary student preachers. Neurological complications from his emergency brain tumor treatment in the 1950s forced his early retirement from teaching in 1992. George's children moved him back to Texas and cared for him as he fought the ever increasing effects of and complications from his neurological difficulties. George passed away on April 6, 2006. George was a devoted son, brother and father of two children. He is survived by his son, George Andrew ("Drew") Coats, daughter-in-law Kirsten and their children Wesley and Jennifer; and his daughter Charissa Sebesta, son-in-law Chris and their children Braden and Sarah Beth. He is also survived by two nieces, one nephew and their respective children. George remained a faithful servant of his Lord Jesus Christ for all of his life. George will be laid to rest at a family service at the Klein Cemetery in Magnolia, Texas on Friday, April 7, 2006. George will be honored and remembered at a memorial service at St. Paul's United Methodist Church Chapel, 5501 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77004, at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2006. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the George W. Coats, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund at McMurry University, McM Station, Box 938, Abilene, Texas 79697.