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Walter Coats Obituary
WALTER REED COATS (Age 65)
Of Alexandria, Virginia died from complications with AIDS on February 27, 2007 in Arlington, VA.
Reed retired from Fairfax County Library Administration in October 2005 after 19 years of service and then had more time to devote to his granddaughter. He was a long-time AIDS survivor and a grateful recovering member of Alcoholics Anonymous for over 23 years.
Reed was born in Memphis, TN, son of the late Roscoe Roy Coats and Frances Bryson Coats. Surviving are his former wife and dear friend, Teresa Coats of Richmond, VA; daughter, Lisa Coats and son-in-law, Jim Downey of Bordentown, NJ; daughter, Erin Sitton-Coats; daughter-in-law, Janell Sitton-Coats; granddaughter, Emma Grace Sitton-Coats of Annapolis, MD; his brother Dr. R. Roy Coats and sister-in-law, Alma Coats and family of Ithaca, NY; many loving and devoted friends and colleagues.
Memorial services will be 7 p.m., Monday, March 5 at Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, 1909 Windmill Lane, Alexandria, VA 22307. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Reed's name may be made to the Whitman-Walker Clinic, 1407 S St., NW, Washington, DC 20009; Fairfax County Public Library Foundation, PO Box 10210, Fairfax, VA 22035 or The Capital Hospice Center's Halquist Memorial Inpatient Center, 4715 No. 15th St., Arlington, VA 22205.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Walter Coats
Sponsored by Jeff DuBeau.
Jeff DuBeau
February 27, 2025
I choose the time we spent together
to remember...
Your patience, and your caring heart,
your concern when I dug my heels in
like the stubborn mule I'd always been,
then I think about the countless people,
beautiful, wonderful flashes of life,
irreplaceable souls,
sacred gems of humanity,
now buried in the earth,
And I choose the time we spent together
to remember...
the blessing granted me of knowing you.
RIP my friend.
Jeff DuBeau
February 29, 2024
I've been thinking a lot about you this week my friend. I always keep you in my prayers and look forward to the day we will meet again.
Jeff DuBeau
February 25, 2023
Thinking about you this morning Reed and keeping you in my prayers. Thank you for all you did for me. I'll never forget you. I miss you.
Annette Cavallaro
March 11, 2007
When someone we love transitions out of body, they are that much closer to our soul and spirit, I believe. Lisa, I wish you the comfort of your father's continued presence, spiritually, in your life. Time heals. With love and peace, Annette.
Sharon Scott
March 7, 2007
Teresa, Lisa and Jim, Erin, Janell and Emma Grace; the world is a dimmer place without Reed, but his love, joy, and laughter live on in each of you. God Bless.
Christine Menefee
March 6, 2007
My sympathy to Reed's family and many friends. Reed remains vivid in my memory for his openness and approachability, humor, and integrity as a manager; he was a standout Good Guy in the workplace, and I know he's missed.
Amy Redmon
March 6, 2007
Reed was my good friend through Jr. High, High School, and college. I rode to church with his family each week, and loved them like my own from the time I was 12. My heart goes out to Roy, Jr. and Alma, Teresa, Lisa, and Erin. --Amy
Nadia Taran
March 5, 2007
I will always remember Reed's hearty laugh, sparkling eyes and wicked sense of humor. His zest for living and vitality are inspiring. As a supervisor, he continued to give his best despite his failing health. I hope these memories are a comfort to his family.
Banu Hummel
March 5, 2007
My dear sweet friends, I have thought about you daily...imagined the times I spent with Lisa and Reed during our college days...felt sad and thought filled. Sent out love and peace to the Bosphorus tonight, the lights were magnifient, the sky clear, the water immense. I wish I could have been there with you all.
Sending love, and condolences,
Banu (Lisa's friend)
Jeff DuBeau
March 5, 2007
I want to extend my condolences to Reed's family. Reed was a dear friend and a source of strength and guidance in my life when I needed it so desperately. I love him and I will miss him daily.
Vic Baldridge
March 4, 2007
Reed, you were a friend indeed. My college roommate, friend for years. Thank you for being a light in my life. Taken away too soon. God bless you. Vic
Molly Harrison Adams
March 4, 2007
Reed was a cherished friend since our junior high school days. He was a wonderful man in so many ways. My love to Teresa, Lisa and Erin.
Kathie Regan
March 4, 2007
You only have one DAD, which makes his loss incalculable but his memory incomparable.
I wish you all peace.
Paul & Doris Downey
March 2, 2007
Rest in peace, dear friend, 'till we meet again.
Ruth O'Neill
March 2, 2007
My deepest sympaties go out to Reed's Family and Friends. His life had much to Celebrate too. Prayers and comforting thoughts are with you all.
Sincerely
Mary Ann Groves
March 2, 2007
May God be with you
Edward Hill
March 2, 2007
I would like to express my most sincere and deepest heartful sympathy to Teresa, Lisa, and Erin in the loss of Reed. Reed was a very special person to me and will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers will be with all of you.
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