Jeremy Coates

Jeremy Arthur Coates, 44 On the morning of March 13, 2015, Jeremy passed away at Integris Southwest Medical Center in Oklahoma City, from a heart attack. He was 44 years old. Jeremy Arthur Coates was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on June 3, 1970. He was the first child of Harry E. Coates, Jr. and Betty D. Coates. Jeremy was an incredibly precocious child and his love for the outdoors started at a young age. He enjoyed summer trips to Colorado with the Cole family, where he was constantly on the lookout for small caves and interesting things to explore. Jeremy’s life-long fascination with motorcycles began at a young age as well. He bought his first motorcycle, a Honda 90, at the age of 14 and convinced his parents to allow him to ride it 10 miles to and from his house on SE 152nd to Moore Middle School every day. Jeremy moved with the family, which had grown to include his little sister Heather, to the Little area NE of Seminole in 1985. He began attending Strother High School where he was a stand-out basketball player, helping lead the Yellow Jackets to the Class A State Tournament in 1988 as the team’s 6’9” center. Jeremy’s prowess on the hardwood led to his recruitment by numerous college basketball teams. By the time he left to attend Wentworth Military Academy on a basketball scholarship, he had two little brothers, Eddie (1986) and Brandon (1988), who looked up to him throughout his life. As an adult, Jeremy felt most at peace when he was outdoors. Camping, hunting and fishing were more than just hobbies; they were a way of life that Jeremy enjoyed individually and with close friends. He loved the freedom he felt when surrounded by God’s creation. Jeremy’s other passion was the pursuit of knowledge. He was a voracious reader and was known to give impromptu lectures on the finer points of American democracy and world history. Jeremy was a fixture in the Oklahoma motorcycle scene. He owned, built, and refurbished numerous bikes-primarily Harley Davidsons-over his lifetime and was known by many fellow riders as a tough, good-natured, and humorous man whose personality made him the perfect MC at multiple motorcycle rallies. When he returned to East Central University in Ada, as an adult, to earn degrees in History and Sociology, he single-handedly organized an inaugural motorcycle rally that involved many university departments and was the most widely-attended events in the history of East Central. Those who knew Jeremy best would describe him as loyal, kind-hearted, and fiercely devoted to both the principles and people in which he believed and loved. He pursued simplicity in life that only comes with a deep understanding of one’s own values. Jeremy was loved, admired and respected by many and will be missed greatly. Jeremy was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Harry Coates, Sr., maternal grandfather, Dennis Cole, and maternal grandmother, Sylvia Cole. Jeremy is survived by his parents: Harry E. Coates, Jr. of Seminole, Oklahoma and Betty D. Coates of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; his siblings and their spouses, Heather and Colt Kreeger of Greeley, Colorado, Eddie and Teri Coates of Boston, Massachusetts, and Brandon and Meghan Coates of Dallas, Texas; his paternal grandmother, Cuba G. Coates, of Seminole, Oklahoma and a multitude of aunts, uncles and cousins. Jeremy is also survived by a little brother, Andrew William Coates, of Seminole, Oklahoma. In accordance with Jeremy’s wishes, his ashes will be buried on the Coates family land; his favorite place to hunt, fish, and enjoy nature. Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel of Seminole, Oklahoma with Colt Kreeger officiating. Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home of Seminole, Oklahoma. Funeral Information: March 17, 2015, 11:00 AM Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel located at 1001 N. Milt Phillips, Seminole, OK 74868