William "Dave" Coale Jr.

Coale, William "Dave" Jr.

beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away January 18, 2026. Born to Eva and William Coale, Sr. on June 28, 1941, he attended Bucknell University and Rutgers University before completing a master's and PhD in Political Science/International Relations at Boston University.

Dave served as a U.S. Army lieutenant and captain, including a deployment to Vietnam. During his service, he met the love of his life, Karen, through a long-distance correspondence encouraged by a mutual friend. They married in 1968 and lived in Heidelberg, Germany, where their daughter Stefanie was born.

After completing his military service and graduate studies, Dave began a distinguished career in Washington, D.C., working for the Department of Defense and later the U.S. Department of Commerce. His work in international trade took him to India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa, as well as throughout Virginia and West Virginia supporting U.S. small businesses.

In 2004, Dave and Karen moved with their daughter's family from northern Virginia to Florida to be closer as a family. Dave loved travel and the outdoors. He and Karen explored the Cascade Mountains, the Dolomites, New Zealand, Nova Scotia, and South Africa, and made many cherished trips to Italy.

Dave will be remembered for his intellect, his gentle humor, his global perspective, and the deep steadiness he brought to every chapter of his life. He lived with curiosity, humility, and a quiet generosity that touched everyone around him. He is survived by his wife, Karen; daughter, Stefanie; son-in-law, Ross; and grandchildren, David and Ellie.

A Celebration of Life will be held March 14, at 4 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, theaftd.org.

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