Gregory William Coats

Gregory William Coats was born on September 1, 1971 to parents Rawson and Donna Coats. He passed away on October 30, 2025. His life began in Brockton, Massachusetts and he called Oklahoma, Ohio, and Georgia home before settling in Florida. After high school Greg began his military service, and he attended Oklahoma State University. Greg served in both the United States Air Force and the United Stated Army until his retirement.

Proud to be able to serve his country, Greg enlisted in the military then became a commissioned officer and retired as a Major after 24 years of service. He spent 16 years in the Air Force and 8 in the Army. During his early years of service, prior to his commission, Greg worked as a jet engine mechanic in the Air Force. After receiving his degree in electrical engineering, he became a commissioned officer. A transfer to the Army and earning his master’s in construction management began his time working as an electronic warfare engineer. During this time he also completed two tours – one in Iraq and another in Afghanistan. His honorable military career was something he was proud to have accomplished and proud to have as part of his legacy.

In his personal life, Greg loved living, and he found joy in making others smile and laugh. He loved his family, his dog Fifi, time on his boat with family, wake boarding, sharing meals (especially crab legs) with family after a good and long day out on the water, playing board and card games – any time he could spend with family was precious to him. He also loved sharing stories from childhood vacations, times fishing with his PapPap, and rides to the beach with his dad in their VW van.

There are some sweet memories that family and friends will always hold dear. Greg had jokes for everything, and he loved making everyone else laugh along with him. Changing the words to songs to make them funny was another gift he shared with those around him. On family trips, he was always happy to play games, and Uno, Sorry, and Mexican Train will always bring back special memories for them. On the water, Greg fondly shared his love of the water through teaching kids to wakeboard and ski. There was never a shortage of pranks at his workplace either. He made many days memorable with the pranks he concocted and pulled off.

Greg leaves behind his wife, Nickelle Coats, children Jeffrey Coats, Lili Coats, and Laney Maher and a grandchild that he adored, Kobe Walker. He also leaves behind his father, Rawson Coats, sister Audrey Coats, aunt and uncle Rose and Keith Dinant, cousins Noelle, Mike, and Mikey Graves, and several other aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his mother Donna Coats, grandmother Lorraine, grandfather William “PapPap” Dinant, and Arlie and Helen Coats.

Greg would want to be remembered for bringing people together through laughter. He felt it was a true gift of his and he lived each day desiring to touch people’s lives through putting a real smile on their face. He was incredibly genuine – a big teddy bear, loving, caring, and compassionate. He was also incredibly brilliant – he knew a lot and was always eager to learn. He lived a life that impacted many, and he will be greatly missed.