Donald W. Coats November 12, 1944 – December 12, 2025

Don was such a dad, the best kind. His delight was to make us laugh, or teach a skill, to show up in support, to ask hard questions, to humbly and quietly do the difficult things that demonstrated his love. Born in Rhode Island on November 12, 1944 to David and Leora Coats, 11 months behind big brother David Jr, he spent his formative years in Peru and then San Mateo California where he graduated from Hillsdale High in 1962. Don loved playing baseball, and he was good at it, eventually playing 1st base for his college San Francisco State University, and semi-pro afterwards. He graduated from SFSU with a B.A. in communications and he went on to put his Casey Kasem-like voice to good use. As the United State’s involvement in the Vietnam War heightened, Don chose to enroll in Officer Candidate School and subsequently served his country in Bangkok Thailand where he was a radio personality; a real life Adrian Cronauer from Good Morning Vietnam, but in Thailand and not quite that funny. It was there that he met Premjai Tasanapradit, the Chico State educated Thai beauty known as the host of the G.I. radio show Tips on Thailand. Don returned to the States in 1970 and a year later he asked Prem to come to be with him. Armed with both a return ticket and a wedding dress, Prem said yes, and the two were married in San Mateo on March 20, 1971. They moved to Atlanta Ga where they took on the difficult task of raising bi-racial children, Paul and Alisa, in the deep south. Don owned his own advertising agency, CMA, and rekindled his love of sports, this time in the form of tennis, and he was good at it. His smooth McEnroe like lefty serve baffled opponents, and his teams went on to win multiple regional championships. His greatest joys, perhaps, came with teaching Prem and his kids how to play, and watching them become descent players too.

Don’s advertising agency eventually lost ground to larger corporate agencies, and he graciously made a switch to delivery work for DHL. There he continued to hold his head up high, modeling a strong work ethic and a devotion to doing the best that he could for those who depended on him. It was during those harder years that his family was most proud of him, witnessing his unwavering devotion to family.

His mind was always curious. In 2001 he and Prem hit the road in “The Rig”, touring the country full-time for the next 4 years. They enjoyed extended time in all 50 states, Canada and Mexico, often finding ways to build community in the campgrounds where they stayed. Don also became an early adopter of pickleball, and he was good at it, competing multiple times in the Senior Games.

Although never a smoker, Don battled and was victorious over throat cancer. His treatments lead to other complications, eventually resulting in the need for a total laryngectomy. Those major life altering treatments pushed Don all the closer to his family, and he found God’s comfort through prayer and Psalm 23. He maintained his dignity and sense of humor through every trial, and he developed a deepening appreciation for his caregivers at the San Francisco VA and at The Vincent where he lived and enjoyed making new friends.

Don is pre-deceased by his mother and father, and is survived by his son Paul with his wife Kristen; daughter Alisa with her husband Josh; grandchildren Adriella (18) and Lincoln (15); brother David Jr with his wife Laurel, and their children Jennifer and Michael, and his best friend Art Borland.

Don and his charming charisma will be missed, and his legacy of kindness, devotion, hard work and play will be carried forward by those who love him.

Donations in lieu of flowers and in memory of Don can be made to the San Francisco VA in honor of the doctors and speech pathologist who treated him so well; https://www.va.gov/san-franci…

or the Alzheimer's Association in honor of his wife Prem whom he lovingly cared for; https://donorservices.alz.org…

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