David Coates

David “Beam” “Sly” Coates, age 68, of Erie, Pa, passed away on Saturday, October 9, 2021.

He was born on May 29, 1953, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the union of Daniel and Louise G. Coates.

 David was educated in the Cleveland School for the Blind. He was legally blind by his teens. This didn't stop David. He received his G.E.D. in the early 1980,'s.  He even attended trucking school. David enjoyed playing cards and was always the life of the party. His favorite team was the Miami Dolphins. 

David was preceded in death by his parents; son, DaVaugh Middlebrooks; two brothers, Daniel and Charles Coates; two sisters, Michelle and Kathryn Coates; three brothers-in-law, Wesley Thomas,  Frederick Ross Sr. and Victor Wilkerson Sr.; the woman he loved and truly adored, Donna Murray.

David leaves five daughters, Nickeyta Fisher, Lesha Middlebrook, LaTasha Porter, LaTara Porter, all of Detroit, Michigan, and Alicia, of Cleveland, Ohio; a son, Isaiah Howard, of Chicago; 21 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; three sisters, Patricia M. Thomas, of Erie PA, Nina Ross, of Clinton, Michigan and Denise Wilkerson, of Kingwood, Texas; two brothers, Dennis (Kathy) Coates Sr. and Michael (Connie) Coates Sr., of Erie; his best friend, Shannon Gains (fiancé, Charlene Tate); and many nieces, nephews , cousins and friends. 

Friends may call on Saturday, October 16, 2021 from 9:00 A.M. until time of service at 11:00 A.M. at Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Services Inc Downtown, 602 W. 10^th St, Erie 16502 with Reverend Owen Rhodes, of New Jerusalem Church, officiating. Service may be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/BurtonQuinnScott. Burial will be private. At the request of the family, masks will be required.

We can all tell a story or two about Beam, some good and some bad. He wasn't always right in his life. What he did do is he stayed in prayer and reading the word of God. He will be missed.

Send condolences to www.BurtonQuinnScott.com