Clyde Wayne Coats

1924 - 2021

Clyde Wayne Coats
January 2, 1924 – February 23, 2021

Wayne was born in Hoquiam, Washington, the son of Clyde Coats and Luelma (Mickey) McDevitt. He graduated from Palo Alto High School in June 1942 and enlisted in the Naval Air Corps the day after graduation. He
began active duty on
August 6, 1942, and served as a decorated
Marine Fighter Pilot until his discharge in late
November 1945. After the war, he attended San Jose State College and graduated from College of the Arts and Crafts in Oakland, California. In between college courses, he met and married Mary Louise Lago in June 1947, and they soon started their family.
He taught Arts and Crafts at Roosevelt Junior High in Richmond, California, eventually moving to Clearlake Highlands in 1962 to teach Art, Photography, Yearbook, and World History at Lower Lake High School. He also coached football and basketball for a number of years. He retired in 1983 after 25 years of teaching and went on to teach extension courses in Art for various colleges for many years. He continued painting until just a few years ago when he had to stop for health reasons.
Wayne loved his family. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was past Worshipful Master, a 50-year Mason and Shriner who acted as Installing Worshipful Master at the Masonic Installations for 37 years, well into his 90's. Wayne was a trusted teacher, mentor, friend, and colleague to many, as well as a gifted artist. He has been active in his community and has influenced several generations of students whose love for art and photography flourished under his guidance. His legacy lives on as many of his paintings are showcased in homes and businesses throughout Northern California. His paintings were displayed in many galleries in Fort Bragg, gaining him a new audience of boat captains who commissioned his work to memorialize their livelihoods.
He is survived by his wife of almost 74 years, Mary Louise Coats; his son, Robert (Carole); daughters, Patty Beach (Gene) and Susan Coats (Richard); five grandchildren, Wesley Wayne Coats (Sarah), Michael Beach (Sarah), Todd Beach
(Danielle), Katie Beach and Matthew Wayne
Masuda; and two great-granddaughters, Abigail Coats and Riley Pesely. He is also survived by his sister, Ardell Kochel (Ted).
He is predeceased by his sister, Lorraine McCameron, and his granddaughter, Kelly Masuda.
Services will be held whenever we can safely gather with large groups, most likely in the late summer or fall of 2021. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Shriners Hospital in Sacramento, California.
Care and arrangements by Jones & Lewis CLMC FD800 www.jonesandlewismemorialchapel.com 707-994-6417