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Frank Kenneth Coates, Jr, 76, of Ponca City, passed away on June 24 after a 19-year battle with cancer.
Ken was born on July 23, 1946, to Frank Kenneth and Mary Lockwood Coates in Ada, OK. After Ken graduated from Tonkawa High School in 1964, he studied Industrial Arts Education at Northern Oklahoma College, where he obtained his associate degree and then began his studies at Oklahoma State University.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Art Education from OSU in 1968, he enlisted in the Navy. He was stationed in San Diego, CA, Millington, TN, and honorably discharged in Beeville, TX.
Ken started his teaching career in 1972 in Beaver, OK, where he taught Industrial Arts and Photography for 21 years. While in Beaver, he started the high school tennis program, kickstarting his 32-year coaching career. Amidst his teaching career, Ken pursued a higher education degree, earning his Master of Science degree in 1977. Later, after moving to Ponca City, he taught for an additional ten years in Cedar Vale, KS.
In 1966 Ken began dating the love of his life, Maureen Maxson, and they married in September of 1967 in Ponca City. Ken and Maureen went on to have two sons, Spencer Kenneth Coates, and Jason James Coates.
In 2006, Ken retired and spent his time continuing to coach tennis and volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, along with pursuing his lifelong dream of traveling throughout the world.
Ken was preceded in death by his father, Frank Coates Sr; his mother, Mary Haney; a brother, Francis Henry “Hank” Coates; his stepfather, Wendell Haney; and a daughter-in-law, Alison Richardson Coates. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Maureen Maxson Coates of Ponca City, son Spencer and his wife, Jennifer Coates of Prosper, TX; son Jason of Tulsa, a brother, Randy Coates of Tonkawa and four granddaughters, Ellis Coates, Maegan Royster, Jillian Royster, and Caroline Coates.
Visitation with the family will be Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at Trout Funeral Home, 5:00 - 7:00pm. A memorial service will follow on Sunday, July 2 at 2:00pm at Northeast Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Habitat for Humanity 117 West Central Avenue, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601 or Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 445 Fairview Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601 organizations Ken felt strongly about.
Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.
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