Neal D. Coates

Aurora, Utah - Our devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend, Neal Dee Coates, age 58, of Aurora, suddenly and unexpectedly, passed away October 25, 2012 in Richfield, Utah. He was born June 28, 1954 in Gunnison, Utah, the third of six boys born to Cleve C. and Geneal Nola Larsen Coates. Neal graduated from Gunnison Valley High School, Class of 1972. He then attended Sevier Valley Trade Tech where he excelled in auto mechanics. He started his career at Boyl’s Brothers, then LA Young and for the last 32 years, had dedicated himself to Wheeler Machinery. During these last three years, he enjoyed working at the Robinson Mine in Ely, Nevada, for Wheeler Machinery as an equipment mechanic. Neal's career specialty was power train and undercarriage. Neal married Dana Rae Curtis, March 7, 1980 in the Manti LDS Temple. Their lives were soon blessed with three children: Jodi, Jarrett and Kami. Neal was an active member of the LDS Church, where he served in many callings, above all, scouting. Neal was a “Work Horse.” He was the go-to-guy for everyone and could fix anything. Having a project to work on was what brought him happiness, from building the family cabin, restoring old cars and equipment, projects around the house, to helping on the farm. He had a great love for the outdoors, including hunting, horse riding, camping and such. Recently, his favorite outdoor activity was fishing at Lake Powell. He also enjoyed pack trips to the Book Cliffs and Uintahs. Neal grew up farming and ranching with his family and enjoyed riding horses on the mountains, but was most often found with his head under the hood of something. He was always making and building, tearing apart and putting back together, overhauling and tweaking something from tractors to jeeps, go-carts to demolition derby cars, dune buggies to trail 90's. Neal thoroughly enjoyed being a dad and grandpa. He was always very proud of all his children and grandkids and loved spending time with them. He had a lot in common with them, always being a big kid himself. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife Dana Rae, of Aurora; their children: Jodi Beth and Christopher McKinlay of Aurora; Jarrett D. and Shayla Coates of Gunnison; Kami and Jorden Smith of Nephi; his grandkids: Kodi Jo, Jacey and Max McKinlay; Ryder and Rawlee Coates; his parents, Cleve and Geneal Coates of Gunnison; his mother-in-law: Beth Curtis of Aurora; his five brothers: Brent and Joan Coates, Dale and Michelle Coates, all of Aurora; Wesley and Billie Coates of Mayfield; Mark and Delene Coates of Gunnison; Blake and Nancy Coates of Bear River; and many nieces and nephews. Neal is preceded in death by his father-in-law: Max J. Curtis; brothers-in-law: Jay M. and Clyde Lero Curtis; nephew, Cal Jay Curtis and his grandparents. Funeral services will be held Friday, November 2, 2012 at 12 Noon in the Aurora 1st LDS Ward Chapel, where friends may call for viewing Thursday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or Friday morning from 10:00 to 11:30 prior to the services. Burial will be in the Aurora City Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.