Samuel Clay Coates III

November 1, 1938 - February 6, 2022

Samuel Clay Coates III, age 83, of Newark, DE, passed away on February 6, 2022, at Cadia Healthcare Silverside in Wilmington, DE. He was born in Philadelphia, PA on November 1, 1938, the son of the late Samuel C. Jr. and Thelma L. (Conrad) Coates, and was predeceased by his older brother Ronald R. Coates. Dedicated, detail-oriented and hardworking, Sam retired in 2004 as a Senior Piping Materials Specialist, working on Dupont projects for almost 40 years for Allstates Engineering Co. Some of his other Allstates Engineering job titles included Piping Designer and Project Supervisor. Previous to Allstates, Sam worked for the New York Shipbuilding Corp. of Camden, NJ as a Marine Piping Draftsman, and was very proud to have worked on the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk when he was a Machinist Apprentice there. Sam had a great love of the outdoors and in his younger days enjoyed fishing, hunting, crabbing, walking/hiking and boating, just to name a few. Sam was a skilled carpenter, using his engineering and drafting background to plan and create many small projects around the house, as well as some larger ones such as decks and sheds. He mastered the accordion and piano, and occasionally entertained at family get-togethers. Sam loved to bake and cook, and was always trying out new recipes. Every year he planted a large garden that was envied by all who saw it, and he always gave away a substantial amount of the crop to appreciative family and friends. Sam was more than just an intelligent, funny, caring, easygoing, affectionate, and determined unique individual. No amount of words can describe the presence of this one-of-a-kind man who made a strong impression on everyone that was blessed to have come across him. Most of all he was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be greatly missed by all. Samuel C. Coates III is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Marianne C. (Kelly) Coates; daughter Stacy Coates-Borgia (Angelo) of Dushore, PA; sons Steve Coates (Kim) of Levittown, PA and Chris Coates (Maria) of Newark, DE; grandchildren Jennifer Schafer (Dave Strouse) of Portland, OR, Christine Schafer of Blackwood, NJ, Matthew and Andrew Coates of Levittown, PA, Amanda Coates-Jordan (Will) of Carlsbad, CA and Chris Coates of Newark, DE; great-grandchildren Maya and Logan Remmell of North Star, DE and Liam Jordan of Carlsbad, CA; and an adopted son, Radar, his beloved Yorkshire terrier. A visitation will be held Saturday, February 12, 2022, from 9-10 AM at Strano & Feeley Family Funeral Home, 635 Churchman's Rd., Newark, DE 19702 followed by a service in celebration of Samuel's life at 10 AM at the funeral home. Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery, Wilmington, DE. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the American Diabetes Association or the Alzheimer's Association. For directions or to send an online condolence, visit www.stranofeeley.com