Mr. John R. Coates Jr.

January 4, 1925 - March 6, 2021

John R. Coates, Jr., age 96, of Ellicott City, passed on Saturday, March 6, 2021, at Howard County General Hospital. Born January 4, 1925, in Virginia he was the son of the late John Richard Coates, Sr. and Louise Thompson Coates. He was the loving husband of Mildred Ripley Coates, his wife of 75 years. John served in the US Army during World War II. He was a graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in Industrial Engineering. John worked as an engineer for the former Westinghouse Corporation for many years. He had a variety of hobbies which included football, baseball and furniture making. He enjoyed getting together for reunions and conversations with members of his Army regiment and serving with the Greatest Generation. Surviving in addition to his wife are nieces Marcia Saumweber, Carol Coates, Monica Saumweber, and Mary Alexandra Spyker; nephews Jeff and Christopher Coates, and many neighbors and friends. He was predeceased by their son John "Ricky" Coates, III, sister Virginia Anne Coates Saumweber Griswold, brothers Harold, William and James Coates. Due to current pandemic restrictions the family will have a limited visitation on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at Haight Funeral Home & Chapel, 6416 Sykesville Road, Sykesville, 2-4 or 6-8 pm. Anyone wishing to attend is asked to contact the funeral home. Interment will be in Trinity UMC Cemetery, 13463 W. James Anderson Highway, Buckingham, VA on Friday, March 12, 2021 at 11am. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Best Defense Foundation, 249 Highway 101, Suite 312, Solana Beach, CA 92075 or to The Greatest Generations 501 South Cherry Street, 11th Floor, Denver, CO 80246. Online condolences may be offered at www.haightfuneralhome.com