NAPPANEE – Jimmy “JW” Coates, 47, of Leesburg, died March 19, 2012, in Parkview North Hospital, Fort Wayne, from injuries suffered in a mop-ed accident March 17, 2012, evening near Etna Green.
He was born July 22, 1964, to Elvis H. Coates and Janice M. Goodwin.
Moving to Indiana 18 years ago, he served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Flint. He had been a professional bull rider in Texas. Surviving are a daughter, Codi Coates, Etna Green; his mother, Janice M. Goodwin, Washington; five sisters: Sandra Larsen, Montana; Debbie Griffin, Florida; Cheryl Marshall, Seattle, Wash.; Pamela Tucker, Mississippi; and Monica Pittman, Louisana; and a brother, Michael Coates, Florida. He was preceded in death by his father and brother.
A memorial service will be at 4:30 p.m. Friday at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee. Cremation will take place.
Calling is from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials may be made to the Jimmy Coates Memorial Fund.
