Calvin Ray Coats,, Minister Sr.

“I have fought the good fight. I have finished my race. I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearing.” —II Timothy 4:7-8

Minister Calvin Ray Coats, Sr., was born on November 10, 1944 to the late parentage of Curtis Coats, Sr., and Grady Hardy Coats. He was the sixth out of their 17 children, who were affectionately known as “The Original 17,” as they refer to themselves. Calvin accepted Christ as his Personal Savior at 12 years old, and received his formal education from Galileo High School in San Francisco, California. Thereafter, he attended San Jose State University, where he majored in journalism. He also majored in Computer Science at El Centro College in Dallas,Texas.

Calvin married Dorothy Johnson, and on March 28, 1966, they welcomed Calvin’s only biological child—Calvin Ray Coats., Jr., “Little Calvin” as he is affectionately known. Several years after he and Dorothy divorced, Calvin met and married Ms. Joyce Tipps (a single mother of three children). Calvin and Joyce remained married for 37 years, until death. Calvin loved to fish, and could do so, any day; any time. Though he accepted Christ at an early age, he was not called to preach the gospel until 2004.

Calvin is survived by his wife, Joyce Coats, and their Four Children; Calvin Coats, Jr., Loni, Rami and Joy; Seven Brothers, Curtis, Mandell, Raymond, Donnie, Theris, Jerry and Glenn; Three Sisters, Gwen, Terri and Donna; 14 Grandchildren; 7 Great Grandchildren and many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, and Friends.

Wake services for Calvin is scheduled for Friday evening, January 22, 2016 from 7 to 8 PM at the the Cedar Hill Church of Christ located at 535 S. Clark road - Cedar Hill, TX 75104. Funeral services will also be at the Cedar Hill Church of Christ on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 12:30 PM at the Cedar Hill Church of Christ. Mr. Coats will lie in repose at the church one hour prior to the start of funeral service. Interment to follow at Carver Memorial Park Cemetery - Ennis, TX.

Public Visitation for Minister Coats is scheduled for Thursday, January 21, 2016 from 1 PM to 5 PM and again from 10 AM to 5 PM on Friday at Bethesda Memorial Funeral Directors - 106 Terrace Drive - DeSoto, TX 75115, Phone (214) 628-5350 or (254) 304-2634. Services entrusted to the Bethesda Memorial Funeral Directors of DeSoto, TX.

Please keep the Coats family uplifted in prayer.

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