Brian Paul Coates

Brian Paul Coates was the fifth-born child to Harry Edward Coates, Sr. and Cuba Jean Coates (Green) on July 17, 1956 in Seminole, Oklahoma. Brian had seven siblings and enjoyed telling stories about his rural and adventurous childhood. He grew up wrangling Shetland ponies and pulling pranks on his loving siblings. His nickname as a child was “Smiley Briney” because he was always happy. Brian graduated from Strother High School in 1974 and began pursuing his college education while also working for his father’s roofing company, attending classes at Seminole Junior College, Oklahoma State University and Central State University. Brian founded Coates Roofing Company in 1985 after working on the Sante Fe Railroad as a switchman. He then met his wife, Rhonda, at Baptist Temple Church in Oklahoma City where they were married on New Year’s Day in 1988. In 1990, they moved to land neighboring his childhood family homestead where they raised four children, Dalton, Amelia, Reagan, and Abigail, in a similar fashion to Brian’s upbringing.

Brian was a roofer, business owner, instrument-rated pilot, rancher, inventor, and—most importantly—a family man. He accumulated thousands of hours of flight time while fulfilling his responsibilities as President of Coates Roofing Company, including completing projects in each of the lower forty-eight states. Over the course of thirty-eight years, this business allowed Brian to support his family and provide many jobs to others in Seminole County and beyond. In his later years, Brian greatly enjoyed working with Rhonda as a business partner in the company.

Brian raised his family on and near family land where he taught them how to ride horses, work cattle, and love every farm animal known to man. They raised pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, horses, cattle, and more. Brian prioritized his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who saved his life two very notable times, over everything else. Jesus saved his eternal soul as a child when Brian dedicated his life to the Lord, and He saved Brian’s life in 1999 from cancer, allowing Brian to raise his four children. Brian was a loving father who was known for his humor, affection, and generosity.

Brian highly valued education, a value he instilled in his children and family. He achieved a lifelong goal of completing his bachelor’s degree in 2018, graduating from Oklahoma Baptist University at the age of sixty-one. He served as a deacon and children’s Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church of Seminole for well over two decades. He instilled the teachings of the Bible to everyone who walked into his room, many of whom he picked up and brought to church.

In 2021, Brian was blessed with the birth of his first grandson, Hagan. Being a granddad was one of the great joys of his life, and he enjoyed a close relationship with Hagan, who called him “Briney.” Brian was a mosaic of wonderful qualities, hobbies, and career paths. The quality that shines forth the most is his love for others and for Jesus.

Brian was preceded in death by his sister Priscilla Faith Coates, his father Harry Coates, Sr., and mother, Cuba Coates. Brian is survived by his wife Rhonda Coates (Chastine), son Dalton Coates and his wife Kelsey Coates, daughter Amelia Marquis, husband Riley Marquis and grandson Hagan, son Reagan Coates and his wife Laura Coates, and daughter Abigail LaRose and her husband Kyle LaRose. He is also survived by his siblings Lynda Gay Jordan, Harry E. Coates, Jr., Lisa Lee, Laura Good, Jennifer Thomas, and Bruce Coates.

The funeral service for Brian will be at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, December 9, 2023, at the First Baptist Church in Seminole, Oklahoma with Doug Melton officiating. Burial will follow at Little Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.