Charles Robert Coats Jr.

Coats, Charles Robert, Jr. "Charlie", age 92, passed away Thursday, December 15, 2022. He is preceded in death by his parents Charles R. Coats, Sr. and Lucetta Buren Coats; his sister, A'Marie Kees and brother-in-law, Richard Kees. He is survived by his devoted wife, Melinda Smith Coats and his three children, Autumn Lynn Coats, Roxanne McDonald (Art) and Charles Robert Coats, Ill. (Michelle). Additionally, he is survived by his brother, Greg Coats and sister-in-law, Tammy Coats.

Mr. Coats was born in Louisville, Ky. and began working at the age of 12 delivering papers for the Louisville Courier-Journal. Later in his teenage years he enjoyed working as an usher for the Bard Theater, where he developed a love and vast knowledge of old movies, especially westerns. After college at Gonzaga, he began what would become a 60+ year career in the automobile industry, beginning in finance with Hull Dobbs and later becoming co-owner of Louisville Motors where he was known for his innovative and quite memorable advertising campaigns.

In the early 1980s, Mr. Coats moved to Nashville, Tn. and purchased a Ford dealership on Thompson Lane, known then as Crown Ford. In Nashville, Mr. Coats continued his penchant for memorable advertising and was known to most as "Crown Charlie". Through his leadership, hard work and tenacity Crown Ford prospered winning Ford's prestigious Chairman's Award multiple times and was listed in the top 100 Ford dealerships in the U.S. for many years.

Mr. Coats served on the Tennessee Motor Vehicle Commission and on the Ford Dealer Advertising Fund Board. However, he was most proud of the many employees he hired, trained and mentored who later became successful in their own lives; whether in sales, management or business ownership.

He supported numerous charitable organizations and discreetly helped friends and strangers in need. Given that he worked for 74+ years, it's probably not a stretch to say he wasn't always comfortable with leisure time. His "leisure time" consisted of yard work and he worked endlessly maintaining a meticulous yard and rose garden. He was an avid reader, a true scholar of wartime history, enjoyed the Kentucky Derby, loved his Kentucky "Big Blue" basketball, Boston Red Sox and animals of all kinds, especially his beloved black German Shepherd, Rusty.

Throughout his entire life, Mr. Coats was an eternal optimist who wholeheartedly believed in his own abilities. No matter what adversity was put in his path, through hard work, sheer determination and grit he would conquer it. After suffering a major stroke in 2010, this attitude served him well as he conquered all odds and expectations and after months of grueling physical therapy he returned to work at Crown Ford and continued to do what he loved most until he retired at the age of 86. It was during this time, that he had various caregivers, nurses, doctors, physical, speech and occupational therapists who were instrumental in helping him during his recovery process. His family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and sincere gratitude to all of his care team who became his extended family and to all caregivers who give a part of themselves every day to administer to the needs of others.

A private graveside service will be held at Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, Ky.

In keeping with Charlie's generosity throughout his life, in lieu of memorials, please consider extending a helping hand to someone in need of help.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Brentwood-Roesch-PattonFuneralHome.com for the Coats family.