John Wallace Coats Jr.

John Wallace "Red" Coats, Jr. went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, January 15, 2019. He was born February 16, 1937, in Laurens, SC. He graduated from Ford High School in 1955, and left shortly thereafter to join the U.S. Air Force, serving 18 months of his service in the Philippine Islands.He was the youngest son of the late John Wallace Coats, Sr. and Mozell Cogsdill Coats. He was a retired supervisor from Monsanto Fibers Division, Greenwood plant with 30 years of service.He leaves to cherish his memories: his wife, Betty Bartley Coats; two sons, Steven Coats (Renee) of Waterloo and Ricky Coats (Tammy) of South Haven, MI; three daughters, Lynda Lovvorn (Terry) of Due West, Debra Coats of Waterloo, and Angela Dallis (Chuck) of North Augusta; 19 grandchildren; and 9 great grandchildren with one due to arrive in May.He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Donna Coats; a granddaughter, Elizabeth Smith; and brothers, Fred Dewitt Coats, Robert Coats, Nelson Coats, and Edwin "EC" Bartley.He was a member of New Beginning Baptist Church, where he was a member of the adult Sunday School class, a member of the church choir, and a member of the men's brotherhood.He had four brothers-in-law that he held dear to his heart and called them brother: Edwin Bartley (Grace), Jerry Bartley (Theda), Freddie Bartley (Tavy), and Jim Bartley (Debbie).Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, January 18, 2019, at New Beginning Baptist Church, 286 Serene Drive, Waterloo, SC 29384, conducted by Pastor Allen Gregory. Burial with military honors will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery.The family will be at their respective homes and will receive friends at The Kennedy Mortuary from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Thursday, January 17, 2019.Pallbearers will be Jonathan Lovvorn, Jeffrey Lovvorn, Jared Lovvorn, David Allen Coats, Dylan Coats, and Jason Bartley.Honorary Pallbearers will be Jerry and Theda Bartley, Freddie and Tavy Bartley, Jim and Debbie Bartley, JB and Joan Calliham, Grace Bartley, and Dr. Dan Robinson.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to New Beginning Baptist Church, c/o Pastor Allen Gregory, 150 Bethany Church Road, Laurens, SC 29360.Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.thekennedymortuary.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of John Wallace Coats Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store.