Joseph McClay Coates Sr.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 21, 2012 at Byrd Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Phil Collins, Dr. Johnny Fain, Rev. Jerry Caryl-Gordon officiating. Burial will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Epworth Methodist Church Cemetery in Eufaula, AL with Byrd Funeral Home on West Main Street directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Sunday night. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society, Attn: Katie Rotton, 3054 McGehee Rd., Montgomery, AL 36111 or Tabernacle United Methodist Church Building Fund, 4205 S. Brannon Stand Rd., Taylor, AL 36305.

Joe was born February 23, 1933 in Philadelphia, PA and lived his early life there. He entered the U.S. Naval Reserve prior to entering the U.S. Army. He served two tours in post war Korea and one tour during the Vietnam War, retiring with 26 years of service.

After attending Sparks Technical College he was asked to teach drafting. He taught for a number of years and was then employed with American Buildings in Eufaula before retiring and moving to Dothan. He was a member and former president of Southeast Alabama Photography and Adventure Club. He was an avid photographer and lifelong outdoorsman. He was an active member of Tabernacle United Methodist Church where he provided the devotions for the Men’s Club.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, two sisters, and his wife, Betty Lucille Griffin Coates.

Survivors include his son, Joseph Coates, Jr. (Jennie) of Tallapoosa, GA; his daughter, Cynthia Roth (Robert) of Dothan; his granddaughter, Meg Coates of Tallapoosa, GA; six step-grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Faye Reeves (Don) of Eufaula.