Donald Lee Coates

Donald Lee Coates (Don), 72, of Bedford, Texas passed away at home on July 5, 2020. Don was born in Louisville, Kentucky on November 23, 1947 to Fredrick Coates and Dorothy Elbert. Don grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. He graduated from Westport High School in 1965. He met Karen (Sowders) Coates while working as a lifeguard at the Crescent Hill pool and they were married in 1967. Don went on to graduate from Western Kentucky University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1969. Don and Karen had six children Melissa Farnan (Doug), Erica Joslen (Matt), Shannon White (Robert), Jeremy Coates (Hannah), Elisabeth Lorenz (Dominic), and Samuel Coates (Melody) in Louisville before moving to Texas to raise them in 1984.

After graduating college dad started working in accounting. Shortly after, his free spirit changed his career path to driving big rigs. He was hands down the best driver we’ve ever known. While he worked for Gulf Oil, he won many awards for safe driving and was a champion at truck rodeo events. Later his business acumen led him to start DL Coates transportation which he ran for many years. His yearning for adventure led him to create a restaurant bar called FUBAR next to Billy Bobs in Fort Worth but it wasn’t successful, and he had to close it. He never lamented the loss because he would rather have tried and failed then not to have tried at all. He continued driving trucks across the country into his seventies because he enjoyed the travel.

Don had a huge heart. He was the life of every party and loved to see his many friends. He treasured Sunday Funday and Friday night firepits. He loved to travel for missions’ trips and for pleasure. He truly enjoyed pool parties and was always up for having the entire family over for holidays. He loved Jesus, Texas, guns, fireworks, Trump, and his dog Jack. He was involved with his community as president of his HOA and ran for Bedford city council spring 2019. His passion was his family. He was proud of his six children, twenty-two grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. He loved to attend many school, sporting, and talent events in support of them. When the grandchildren reached graduation age, he would invite them on road trips just to spend time with them. He always made himself available for anyone of us that needed his time.

Donald Lee Coates was preceded in death by his parents, and grandson Brendan Farnan. He is survived by his six children, Grandchildren: Blake White (Olivia), Morgan Bassett (Zach), Austin White, Adam Coates, Kaitlyn Gibson, Samuel Coates, Trevor Farnan, Madeline Gibson, Logan White, Danielle Farnan, Ian Gibson, Kaleigh Farnan, Evelyn Coates, Gavin Farnan, Lucas White, Ashlyn Lorenz, Brayden Lorenz, Paul Coates, Camdyn Lorenz, Grace Coates, Abigayle Coates, Great grandchildren: Jordyn Pitman, Brynlee Bassett, Collin White, Broxen Bassett, Finn Coates, Andrew White, Forrest Coates, Oliver White

His colleagues and friends respected his creativity and integrity, but equally loved his "bright presence," humor, and kindness. Dad was truly joyful, and it showed wherever he went. He will be missed greatly by all that knew him.

Visitation Friday July 10, 2020 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Forrest Ridge Funeral Home

Ceremony Saturday July 11, 2020 at 10:00 AM Forrest Ridge Funeral Home, followed by graveside (Family Only) at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park Cemetery

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the 2020 Trump campaign by going to www.donaldtrump.com