Osbie Eugene “Gene” Coats: Loris

1934 – 2016

    Osbie Eugene “Gene” Coats of Loris passed away Tuesday, Feb. 9. He was 82.
    Mr. Coats was born in Horry County, a son of the late Osbie and Martha Coats. He was raised on a farm in the Pleasant Meadow Community.
    Mr. Coats was a faithful and devoted member of Loris First Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher.  He retired from the United States Air Force after 22 years of service where he served at the end of the Korean Conflict and during the Vietnam War, with numerous overseas assignments.  Mr. Coats worked at Loris Hospital as Safety and Security Director, Maintenance Supervisor, and several years as Part-time Courier.  He was a lifetime member of the Loris Volunteer Fire Department.  Mr. Coats was a member of Gideons International.  He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed watching racing and Gamecock football.  He was predeceased by his daughter, Cynthia Ann Coats; his brother, Lonzo Evans Coats; and his sister, Mildred “Bill” Coats.
    He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carolyn Coats of Loris; one son, David Eugene Coats of Myrtle Beach; one sister, Gladys Coats Lilly and her husband, Claude of Conway; two granddaughters, Jodi Ruecroft of Waco, Texas and Story Lyn Coats of Longs; one great-granddaughter, Aaliyah Jones of Waco, Texas; and his loving nieces and nephews.
    Visitation was planned from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11 at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Loris Chapel.
    Funeral services were planned for 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12 at Loris First Baptist Church with Dr. Louis Venable, Rev. Carl Harris, Rev. Hunter Johnson and Mr. Mike Blanton officiating. Committal services were to follow in the Pleasant Meadow Baptist Church Cemetery.
    Memorials may be made to Loris First Baptist Church, 3117 Main Street, Loris, SC 29569 or Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.
    A guest register is available here.