Mueller Funeral Home

Thomas A. Coates

03/31/1933 - 11/02/2019

Thomas A. Coates, age 86, of Oshkosh died Saturday, November 2, 2019, at Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh. He was born March 31, 1933, in Winneconne to the late Hiram and Isabella Coates. Tom served his country in the U.S. Navy. On August 7, 1984, he married Pat Henningsen. Tom’s career included working at Lenox Candles, over 20 years at Bemis Company, and over 25 years driving shuttle for Bergstrom Automotive, where he met a lot of people and made many friends. He was an active member of St. Andrew’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Oshkosh. Tom loved reading, going out to dinner, watching football, and being outside with Pat and their dog Josie. He enjoyed spending time with Gary, his best friend and buddy, whenever they could, working on his 1946 Coupe, or just hanging out.

Tom is survived by his wife of 35 years, Pat; two daughters, Ian Livingstone, Molly Brewer; four sons, Lynn (Michelle) Coates, Jimmy (JoAnn) Coates, Tommy (Mary) Coates, and Paul Coates; twelve grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Along with his parents, Tom was also preceded in death by a son, Roger Coates; one brother, Robert Coates; and four sisters, Ian Coates, Shirley Lux, Betty Costello, and Jessie Passer.

A visitation for family and friends will be on Thursday, November 7, 2019, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Mueller Funeral Home 904 E. Main St. Winneconne. Visitation will continue on Friday, November 8 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Ev. Lutheran Church 1100 E. Murdock Ave. Oshkosh. A funeral service will be held on Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Pastor Karen Jewell officiating. Military honors and entombment will follow at Lake View Memorial Park, Oshkosh.

The family extends a special, loving thanks to Gary and Linda Frazier and Dick and Teresa Wachtveitl for their support and love. Also, special thanks to the staffs of Aurora Medical Center, the ICU, 2 West nurses, and Dr. Soni for the wonderful care of Tom and Pat.

To Tom, thank you for picking me to spend your life with, Love, Pat.

If you wish please submit online condolences to muellerfh.net.

Guestbook

Joseph Gillick wrote on November 7, 2019
Remember Tom with good memories from his son , the late Roger Coates. Roger was a boyhood friend and Tom ,"Mr. Coates", was a pretty cool dad as I remember. As an adult I would see Tom around Winneconne on occasion and it was always a pleasure to talk over the old days. A good guy who will be missed.

Marcie and Lee Wilson wrote on November 6, 2019
Tom and Pat were a great part of our wonderful Wisconsin life. Always ready to help out whether it was a tree that needed taking down or walnuts needing to be gathered you could always count on them. Can't recall ever seeing Tom without a ready smile and a terrible joke to share. If a hug was needed, Tom was your man! And the stories he could tell! Our love and prayers go out to Tom and Pat's family and friends. There are no words to convey how much he will be missed. Fair winds, Tom!

Janet & John Kunde wrote on November 6, 2019
Pat - Our Deepest sympathy on the loss of Tom. My dad, (Don Zeinert) talked about him many times with happiness. He was a wonderful friend and will be missed. "When Someone you Love becomes a Memory, that Memory becomes a Treasure"