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Carlton James 'Jim/ Corky' Coats passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on Friday, September 13, 2024 after sustaining critical injuries from an unfortunate bicycling accident earlier in the day.
Jim was born on January 25, 1936 to Algerine 'Jerry' Coats and Josephine (née Hardy) Coats in Gary, Indiana. He married Patricia L McKenna on August 23, 1958 and remained married for the next 55 years to Pat until her untimely death on Aug 12, 2013 from Melanoma skin cancer.
He is survived by his brother William Coats of Chicago, IL, his three children: Becky Coats, Dan Coats (spouse Laura), Margaret Dunkly (spouse Michael), and six grandchildren: Ashley Coats, Chantel Smith, Kingsley and Oliver Coats, and Wyatt and Mars Dunkly.
Jim resided in his beloved 'hometown' of Traverse City for the last 52 years, while previously residing in Miller, IN; Terre Haute, IN - where he and Pat graduated from Indiana State University; Chicago, IL; Ann Arbor, MI, before settling in Traverse City with their young children in 1972.
In addition to receiving his undergraduate degree - and lettering in Track & Field - from Indiana State, Jim later earned a master's degree in social work from Michigan State University. He then applied his social work education and expertise in building a successful social work and counseling career, spanning some five decades. He was a respected therapist and Recovery thought leader in TC, specializing in family systems, alcohol & substance abuse treatment - quite literally saving countless lives over his professional career.
Outside of work, Jim was a true Renaissance man with varied and deep interests. He read voraciously and challenged himself to learn every day, belonged to the local Quaker Fellowship, attended Unity church, sang tenor in the Cherryland Barbershoppers, crewed tall ships through the Maritime Alliance, volunteered at St Vincent de Paul, actively participated in a Jungian Dream Group, and was a respected member of Elder's Circle at the Human Nature School.
He was also deeply committed to leading an active, outdoor, natural lifestyle akin to Native Americans and free from modern conveniences - quite often kayaking, canoeing, hiking or biking, and swimming all in the same day. In the winter, he would simply shift his activities to the Nordic sports which are so accessible and enjoyable in Northern Michigan.
A Celebration of Life gathering for Jim/ Corky will be held at East Bay Park (located at the corner of E Bay Blvd S and Front St) from 2-5p on Saturday, October 12.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Norte Youth Cycling via the link below.
Norte Youth Cycling: