Robert L. Coats

1921 - 2016

Robert (Bob) L. Coats
Jan. 26, 1921 - May 11, 2016
Resident of San Jose
Bob passed away peacefully with his family by his side at the Carlton Plaza of San Jose.
Bob was born in Port Colborne, Canada. His family moved to the United States where they worked in mining industry in Butte, Montana and Grass Valley, California. he attended a one-room school house in Rough and Ready, California. He had to drop out of school in the 8th grade to work shining shoes and delivering meals down the mine shafts to help his family during the depression.
Bob married in 1940 and moved from Los Angeles to San Jose to raise a family. He joined the U.S. Army during World War II and was deployed to Germany where he was wounded and received the Purple Heart.
After returning home, Bob went to work for the Golden State Dairy which later became Foremost Dairies. He will always be remembered as one of the last milkmen who delivered dairy products door to door in San Jose and other cities in Santa Clara County. He retired from Foremost after 40 plus years.
Bob loved to take family on driving vacations to theme parks in southern California well as on long trips through the northern and Canadian Rockies. He enjoyed fresh water fishing, golfing, and bowling. The latter which he did into his 80's. He was an avid gardener who loved growing fresh vegetables and meticulously working in his yard. After retiring, Bob began expanding and perfecting his culinary skills. He became an excellent baker, especially lemon meringue and apple pies. One of his favorite dishes was Cornish pasty meat pies. Bob always had an ear for music. He taught himself to play guitar harmonica and organ without knowing how to read music.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years Florence, His mother Alma and his stepfather Al Middlewick, his sister Gwen Wasley and his brother George Coats. He is survived by his brother Ed (Wilda) Middlewick, his daughter Lana (Ken) Bone and his sons Bob Jr. and Geary (Michelle) Coats, his grandchildren Scott, Danielle, Mikaila, Mackenzie, and great grandchildren Alexander, Nicholas, Wesley and Shaylen.
Services will be held at Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel, 710 Willow St., San Jose, on Friday May 20, at 3:00pm. Inurnment will be held at the Newcastle Rocklin Gold Hill Cemetery on Monday May 23 at 10:00am .
In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to VITAS Healthcare, 670 North McCarthy Blvd., Suite 220, Milpitas, CA 95035


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