Roy Coats Mourned
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Elroy "Roy" Allen Coats, Jr. Oct. 23, 1933 - Jun. 13, 2006 Roy Coats, 72, died at his home in Delhi as the result of a tragic farming accident. A native of Giltner, Nebraska, he came to California as a young child and lived fifty years on his ranch bordering Stanislaus and Merced counties. Active in football and track at Hilmar High, Roy graduated in 1952. He married his high school sweetheart, Janie Silva Coats, in 1953 and they would have celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary this year. In 1955 he joined the U.S. Army, training at Fort Ord in California and Fort Lewis in Washington before being stationed in Alaska. In 1980 he purchased from his employer a liquid cattle feed business and established his organization, Ideal Labs, as the owner/operator, becoming a top selling business by tonnage sold for the entire United States. In 2000, Foster Farms purchased the company, although Roy continued to participate to the present time.
Roy and Janie were inseparable throughout their life together and active in the raising and showing of Morgan Horses. They won championships at the local, state and national levels. Also, he participated in the showing of Doberman Pinschers and Australian Shepherds. He maintained a large herd of Shorthorn cattle and showed locally and nationally with many outstanding awards across the states. But he was interested especially in helping youth obtain animals for FFA showing and contributed regularly to their successes. He loved his John Deere tractors and at one time kept twelve in pristine condition. He maintained membership in supportive animal organizations throughout his life.
Roy was known for his sense of humor and loved making people laugh; a story was always at the ready. His sparkling and devilish eyes foretold a joke was in the offing and his colorful presentations drew people to him. They responded with appreciation, warmth and affection. Although a competitive businessman, he was known to all as fair and honest in his dealings. Not one to hold back on his thoughts, he spoke his mind without being offensive to anyone and yet people sought his opinion and company. His numerous friends throughout the United States each thought of him as their best buddy. His sudden death was an unreal shock and his presence will continue to be tremendously missed.
Roy's survivors include Janie Silva Coats, wife; Meta Coats, mother; Delbert Coats, brother; Shirley Fernandes, sister; numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Elroy Allen Coats.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, June 21, 2006, 1:00 PM, Turlock Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Rd., Turlock, CA. Private internment at a later date will be held at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, McCabe Rd. (off Highways 33/5), Santa Nella, CA.
Remembrance may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Spay and Neuter, 10828, Griffith Ave., Delhi, CA 95315.
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