Thomas Coates Obituary

Thomas Clayton Coates Sr., 85, of Beaufort, SC, passed away peacefully Sept. 1, 2025, at Caroline's Cottage in Ridgeland, SC. Born Feb. 20, 1940, in Clinton, SC, he was the eldest son of James E. Coates Sr. and Ruth Simmons Coates. With them, Tom lived in many places while his father was in the US Navy. He was a high school athlete and especially enjoyed boxing and football. Tom attended Wingate University and Presbyterian College. Tom met and married his wife of almost 64 years, Katherine "Kitty" Wynn Coates, in Beaufort. Together they raised three children, all still living in the Lowcountry. He worked for many years at Blue Channel and Ben Arnold-Sunbelt Beverage Company / Fine Wines. In his younger days, he coached local youth football teams and played in a recreational softball league. Tom loved his family, the water, the sunshine on his shoulders, sweet tea, vanilla ice cream, reading, and Gamecock football. Win or lose, the Gamecocks were his team. When two of his grandchildren went to Clemson, he rooted for Clemson until they played the Gamecocks. Heaven on earth for Tom was being near the water, sand in his toes, with a book in his hand, and the sun shining down. Over his many years, he enjoyed Lowcountry life, especially summertime family gatherings at Folly Beach and Fripp Island. Tom loved shrimping and crabbing in the local creeks, and heirloom tomatoes and sweet corn fresh from the field. He is survived by his wife, Kitty; daughters Kay Coates Malphrus (Travis) of Ridgeland and Katherine Coates Williams (John) of Beaufort; son Thomas Clayton Coates Jr. (Chad) of Beaufort; six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter; his brother James E. Coates Jr. (Jack) of Beaufort, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his sister, Candace Coates Brown. Services will be held on September 19, 2025, 11 AM at Anderson Funeral Home, followed by internment at their cemetery. The family thanks all of Tom's doctors and nurses at Beaufort Memorial Hospital, The Keyserling Cancer Center, Amedisys Palliative Care, the Friends of Caroline Hospice, and Caroline's Cottage for his wonderful care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of Caroline Hospice (www.fochospice.org).