Dale Coates

September 17, 1942 - October 4, 2023

Dale Coates was born on September 17, 1942 to Grady Leon Coates and Cora Mae Coates in Terrell Texas. He had a wonderful older brother, whom he cherished, Kenneth Paul Coates. When Dale was 9, he contracted polio as it swept through the state. He would later have 13 surgeries on his leg and spend much of his childhood in and out of hospitals. Dale refused to allow Polio to keep him down and always found a way to rise above his physical limitations.

Dale began his pursuit of his passion, music, when he was at Pine Tree High School and was in his first symphony as a teenager playing the clarinet. He went on to receive both his Bachelor and Master degree in music from East Texas Baptist College and North Texas State University respectively. While at ETBC, he met the love of his life Sandra Jean Sanders. They had a whirlwind romance and married on February 15, 1966 at First Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas. Dale and Sandi would go on to have 2 sons, Craven in October of 1969 and Clayton in February of 1974.

Dale's professional career was focused on music. He was the Assistant Band Director of Ennis High School and Band Director of Wills Point High School, West Mesquite High School and First Baptist Academy, Scurry-Rosser High School, and Lancaster Middle School. In 1995 Dale became the director of the Mesquite Community Band. Over the next 20 years he would grow the band from 12 members to more than 40.

Dale loved the Lord and served on several church staffs. While in Ennis he served at Tabernacle Baptist Church. In following years he also served as Minister of Music at Lockwood Baptist Church in Garland and Music Ministries Coordinator and Interim Minister of Music at First Baptist Church in Dallas, Tx. During Dale's many years at First Baptist Dallas both as a staff member and an attendee, he played in the orchestra, directed the Chapel Orchestra, and directed the Chapel Handbell Choir. He also served the church by teaching second grade Sunday School, co-chairing the baptismal committee for over 20 years with his wife Sandi and serving as a deacon. One of his proudest moments was conducting the 1985 Singing Christmas Tree.

While serving in the position of Music Ministries Coordinator, he was responsible for planning many domestic and international choir tours. He developed a love of England, travel and antiques. Dale would later take antique buying trips and ship people's purchases back to Texas. In 1986 he took his hobby of furniture refinishing and turned it into a business, Things Unique by Dale and later Furniture Rehab. Dale Coates was a true craftsman and artist in every way.

Grandale, as he was affectionately called by his family, was loved by so many and had a great impact. He faced many challenges but regardless of what he faced, he always found time to encourage and serve others. He has left an indelible mark on thousands of lives and a lasting legacy of faith for his family.

Dale Coates is preceded in death by his parents; Cora Mae Coates and Grady Leon Coates, brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth Paul and Mary Jo Brunson Coates. He is survived by his wife Sandra Jean Sanders Coates, sons; Craven Coates and wife Amy Coates of Argyle Texas, Clayton Coates and wife Allison Coates of Camarillo California; 19 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Services:

Funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church Dallas on October 12, 2023 at 11:00 A.M.

Graveside Service will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler, TX at 4:00 P.M.