James E. "Poppy" Coates

James E. "Poppy" Coates, age 73 of Liberty Township passed away at Hospice of Hamilton on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 7:15 AM. He was born in Hamilton on October 5, 1935 the son of Marshall B. and Gracie Lorena (Bull) Coates. He was a 1953 graduate of Hamilton High School. James served in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1957 attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was employed as a machinist at Hamilton Tool, and enjoyed horse racing, fishing, and bowling.. He was a lifetime member of AMVETS # 1983, and member of F&AM McMakin Lodge, #120, Valley of Scottish Rite, Moose Lodge # 36 and was a Kentucky Colonel. On October 30, 1965 in Hamilton he married Carol Lee Porter, who preceded him in death on Feb. 22, 2004.

He is survived by two daughters, Tamara Denise (Ronald) Evans of Hamilton and Lisa Ann (Tim) Perry of Liberty Twp.; six grandchildren, who affectionately called him Poppy, Christopher (Stephanie) Reimer of Florida, Jeffery David (Alisha) Rice Sr. of Hamilton, Anthony Scott Reimer of Fairfield, Carrissa Nicole Day of Liberty Twp., Kyle Rice of Hamilton, and Timothy James "TJ" Perry of Liberty Twp.; four great-grandchildren, Jeffery David Rice Jr. of Middletown, Bethany Grace Brunette Rice of Hamilton, Kaleb Scott Reimer of Florida, and Lucas Isaiah Rice of Hamilton; two brothers, Robert C. (Isabel) Coates of Canada, and Franklin Frost of Titusville, Florida; a sister Virginia M. (Ronald) True of Centerville; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and a brother Albert Lewis Frost.

Funeral service will be held at Brown-Dawson Funeral Home, 330 Pershing Ave. Monday, Jan. 19th at 2PM with his family officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Monday from 1 to 2 PM. Burial with military honors will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.