Chester "Chet" Harold Coatney's Obituary
Chester “Chet” Harold Coatney returned to his heavenly home on May 29, 2015 at the age of 87. He passed away peacefully at his home in Spanaway, Washington. He was born to Cecil Elmer Coatney and Grace Lucille Gass on May 5, 1928 in Manzanola, Colorado. He was a Veteran having served his country in the Navy as a diesel mechanic during WWII from November, 1945 to February, 1949. He lived in Colorado until 1962 where he had a farm. He loved animals and had cows, a horse, pigs, turkeys, chickens, ducks, several dogs and cats. He also helped raise several foster children in Colorado. He transferred to Washington State in 1962, while working for Wonder Bread. He worked at Wonder Bread as a diesel mechanic for 32 years, retiring on May 1, 1990. He loved to fish, hunt and travel. Chester bought a boat while in Washington and loved to take his children, grand-children and other family and friends fishing and especially loved to fish for salmon. He taught the girls to bait their own hooks because, “if you can’t bait your own hook, you can’t fish.”
He married Marilyn Rose Lynn on June 28, 1976. After retiring, he and Marilyn bought a motorhome and traveled across the United States, especially enjoying Alaska and settled in Yuma, Arizona surrounded by their travel buddies. They lived in Yuma for 11-1/2 years, until health issues returned them to Washington State, where Chet lived the remainder of his life. Those who knew Chester will remember his captivating sense of humor and the tremendous love and loyalty he had for his family and friends.
On March 14, 2013, Chester was awarded a Jeweled Veteran’s Badge as an honor conferred by the Grand Lodge of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, due to his loyalty and service for fifty years, exemplifying true value to fellow workers entitling him to the lasting respect and esteem of all members associated with that organization.
Chester is survived by his devoted wife, Marilyn, daughter, Judi Halls (Michael), sons, Jerry (Kaye) and Ken, Max Pabst; step-son, his brother, Winston “Bubby”, and sisters, Beth, Patricia, Karen, and Treva .
Chester has 19 grandchildren and 56 great-grandchildren
Several family members predeceased Chester, including, brothers, Oscar, Clifford, Kenneth, Donald and sisters, Norma and Edith. Also step-daughter, Melissa “Missy” Schon, and granddaughter, Nakia Masters.
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