Obituary for Isaac Coates Jr.
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Meeting ID: 873 7764 9054
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On Saturday, August 5, 2023, Isaac Coates Jr., 94, departed this life at his residence in Landover, Maryland.
Isaac, who was affectionately called “Ike” or “Coates” by family and close friends was born on April 15, 1929, in Edgefield, South Carolina, to the late Isaac Coates Sr. and Willie Mae Waldo. From this union two sons were born (Isaac Jr. and William).
His early years began in the Deep South. Isaac grew up in a poor rural community in the throes of segregation. As a child, Isaac witnessed his father pick cotton to support his family, he wore hand-be-down clothes and cardboard in his shoes. His family lived through the effects of Black Tuesday and the Great Depression.
In 1940, the family moved to Washington, D.C. for a better life. Isaac attended public schools in Washington, D.C. including Armstrong Senior High School. In June 1946, he served as a Porter at the historic Woodward & Lothrop (Woodies), Washington D.C. where for decades blacks couldn’t shop or dine at, and bathrooms were separated. He left Woodies to serve his country. In 1948, he enlisted in the United States Army. He served from 1948 to 1970. He fought in the Korean War and World War II.
Amid military life, Isaac united in marriage to the late Peggy R. Murray in May of 1962. From this union two daughters and one son were born, Ayisha, Stephanie, and Timothy.
After his military career ended, Isaac became a proud homeowner in 1972. He worked for private industry before becoming a public servant at the General Services Administration, Washington D.C. which he held from 1975 to 1987 from which he retired. He then worked several part-time positions just to keep busy.
Isaac gave his life to Christ as a young adult at Shiloh Baptist Church, Washington D.C. and was preceded in death by his parents, his brother William Coates, and his son Timothy Coates.
Isaac lived a simplistic life. He loved to play lottery numbers, smoke cigarettes and drink beer occasionally. He was a walking historian. He witnessed many life-changing events over the decades including segregation and desegregation. Yet, he never envisioned a black President, but he was fortunate to see that too.
Isaac loved to dismantle things and rebuild them especially cars; he had a particular interest in electrical engineering and refrigeration. He never followed written instructions. He said they were overrated. He loved to tell stories riddled with truths and most of all he loved to serve people. He was a kind and gentle spirit who would aide family, neighbors, and strangers in need. In his later years, he enjoyed doing yardwork, working on home projects, and spending time with his grandchildren.
Isaac leaves to cherish his memory: two daughters, Ayisha Slaughter (Larry), and Stephanie Coates; five grandchildren – Kayla, Morgan, Nigel, Dylan and Milan; three great grandchildren -- Kameron, Karter, Delilah and a host of relatives and friends
To join the service via Zoom, please click here at the time of service
OR
enter this ID and passcode into your zoom application:
Meeting ID: 873 7764 9054
Passcode: Coates
If you are experiencing trouble connecting to zoom, try refreshing your browser, if the trouble persists contact our technology department at 301-347-8348 or email us at jkjenkins@jbjfh.com. Thank you.
On Saturday, August 5, 2023, Isaac Coates Jr., 94, departed this life at his residence in Landover, Maryland.
Isaac, who was affectionately called “Ike” or “Coates” by family and close friends was born on April 15, 1929, in Edgefield, South Carolina, to the late Isaac Coates Sr. and Willie Mae Waldo. From this union two sons were born (Isaac Jr. and William).
His early years began in the Deep South. Isaac grew up in a poor rural community in the throes of segregation. As a child, Isaac witnessed his father pick cotton to support his family, he wore hand-be-down clothes and cardboard in his shoes. His family lived through the effects of Black Tuesday and the Great Depression.
In 1940, the family moved to Washington, D.C. for a better life. Isaac attended public schools in Washington, D.C. including Armstrong Senior High School. In June 1946, he served as a Porter at the historic Woodward & Lothrop (Woodies), Washington D.C. where for decades blacks couldn’t shop or dine at, and bathrooms were separated. He left Woodies to serve his country. In 1948, he enlisted in the United States Army. He served from 1948 to 1970. He fought in the Korean War and World War II.
Amid military life, Isaac united in marriage to the late Peggy R. Murray in May of 1962. From this union two daughters and one son were born, Ayisha, Stephanie, and Timothy.
After his military career ended, Isaac became a proud homeowner in 1972. He worked for private industry before becoming a public servant at the General Services Administration, Washington D.C. which he held from 1975 to 1987 from which he retired. He then worked several part-time positions just to keep busy.
Isaac gave his life to Christ as a young adult at Shiloh Baptist Church, Washington D.C. and was preceded in death by his parents, his brother William Coates, and his son Timothy Coates.
Isaac lived a simplistic life. He loved to play lottery numbers, smoke cigarettes and drink beer occasionally. He was a walking historian. He witnessed many life-changing events over the decades including segregation and desegregation. Yet, he never envisioned a black President, but he was fortunate to see that too.
Isaac loved to dismantle things and rebuild them especially cars; he had a particular interest in electrical engineering and refrigeration. He never followed written instructions. He said they were overrated. He loved to tell stories riddled with truths and most of all he loved to serve people. He was a kind and gentle spirit who would aide family, neighbors, and strangers in need. In his later years, he enjoyed doing yardwork, working on home projects, and spending time with his grandchildren.
Isaac leaves to cherish his memory: two daughters, Ayisha Slaughter (Larry), and Stephanie Coates; five grandchildren – Kayla, Morgan, Nigel, Dylan and Milan; three great grandchildren -- Kameron, Karter, Delilah and a host of relatives and friends