Harold R. "Buddy" Coats

Harold Raymond “Buddy” Coats, 82, of Newberry, died Friday, November 15, 2013, at J.F. Hawkins Nursing Home.

Born on May 24, 1931, in Newberry, he was the son of the late Fred H. and Lucille Bouknight Coats. He served 15 years in the S.C. National Guard. He worked for the Kendall Company, Oakland Plant for 23 years and later retired as an auto mechanic from the Stokes-Trainer GM Dealership. He loved NASCAR and was a huge Dale Earnhart fan. Mr. Coats ministry was creating wooden stars with crosses from scrap wood much of which was donated by friends. With love and affection he freely gave these stars to many within the community.

He is survived by his wife, Gladys Lathrop Coats; daughters, Rhonda C. (J.D.) Shealy and Suzanne (John) Summer both of Newberry; grandchildren, Holly Ann Lee and Cadie Lee (Joey) Bodie and a great-granddaughter, Evelyn Anne Bodie.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Monday, November 18, 2013, at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home Chapel by Mr. Joey Bodie. Burial will follow in Newberry Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 1:00 – 1:45 pm Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 110 Ministry Drive, Suite B, Irmo, SC 29063.

The family would like to thank Blue Ridge Hospice for their loving care.

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