Rick Coats

Rick Coats of Dexter, NM passed away Sunday, November 19, 2017. Rick was born in Roswell, NM on November 26, 1949 to parents Richard and Faydean Coats.

He grew up in Dexter, NM attending Dexter Schools - he spent one year at Roswell High when his family moved to Roswell for a short time. Rick graduated from Dexter High School in 1969.
At the age of ten Rick started his work career. He shared wonderful stories about working while he was growing up in Dexter. When he was about ten years old he started delivering newspapers in Dexter on his bicycle, and in his teen years held different jobs from being a lifeguard at Dexter Pool, then to working at Wortman's station, and then on to working as a farmhand. After graduating from high school, he lived in Portales NM. While in Portales he decided to become a truck driver. Rick traveled across the USA east, west, south, and north but Dexter was always his home. He moved back to Dexter in 1980. Rick started his sales career in 1988 with Les Francis Chevrolet Roswell Ford for twelve years, and home to Artesia Ford for the past thirteen years.

Rick loved his family and his friends. He leaves behind his wife of 39 years Sharon "Sherry" Coats; his son Richard Lynn Coats and wife Sharla of Roswell, son Aaron and wife Heather of Dexter. Grandchildren Savannah and Genevieve Duran, Connor and Lealund Coats all of Roswell, and Kaylee and Elias Coats of Dexter, and great grandson Luke Lodoza. Sisters Darlene Jarvis of Sikeston, MO, Debbie Wieseler of Omaha, NE, and Gail Henson of Roswell. He was preceded in death by his father Richard Coats, his mother Faydean Butts, and brother Britt Butts.

Services will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday November 25, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church 205 5th Street, Dexter with internment to follow at Hagerman Cemetery. Jimmy Derrick will be officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 am to 6 pm, Friday, November 24, 2017 at Ballard Funeral Home.

Serving as pallbearers are Connor Coats, Ken Borden, Raul Rodriguez, Josh Luna, Jett Pilley, Damon Tuttle and Jim Tucker.

Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home
910 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203
Friday, November 24, 2017
10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Service

Funeral Service

First Presbyterian Church
201 W. 5th St.
Dexter, NM  88230
Saturday, November 25, 2017
2:00 pm

Cemetery

Hagerman Cemetery
Morgan Road and Shoshoni Road
Hagerman, NM  88232