Gene Coatney was born to Paul and Ellen Randol Coatney on January 16, 1926 near Custer City, Oklahoma. He passed from this life on April 11, 2011 at the age of 85 years.
He attended his grade school years at Custer City and his high school years in Clinton where he graduated.
Gene was a veteran of WWII. He was a member of General George Patton's 3rd Army and was among the first soldiers to cross the Rhine River. This Rhineland Campaign led to the capture of Berlin and the liberation of Europe from the Nazi regime.
Upon his honorable discharge from service to his country, Gene attended Southwestern College at Weatherford for a short time before accepting employment with Conoco Oil Company as a member of their land seismograph crew. After arriving at his assigned workplace in southern Louisiana, Gene went to the Cameron Courthouse to register for the Korean War. It was there that he caught his first glimpse of his future bride, Barbara Dolan. It was "love at first sight" and they were married three months later, a marriage that lasted for 62 years.
Gene liked people and a good conversation was always something he enjoyed. A great joy was taking his sons fishing as well as was playing with grandchildren and seeing them drive his lawn tractor the the first time. His last "play date" in recent days was with his great-granddaughter, Reagan.
Close relationships were in abundance in Gene's life from neighbors that became much more that acquaintances. The happiness and well-being of family and friends mattered most to Gene. He treasured each family member and friend and in return was beloved by many.
He leaves in his absence his loving wife, Barbara Doland Coatney of Lake Charles, Louisiana; one daughter, Sandy Coatney Eldred and son-in-law, Frank, of The Woodlands, Texas; two sons, David "Davey" Coatney and daughter-in-law, Cheryl, of Spring, Texas and Richard Coatney and daughter-in-law, Nancy, of Lafayette, Louisiana; seven grandchildren – Jason, Chloe, Alyson, Lucas, Cameron, Austin and Wyatt and one great-granddaughter, Reagan Leigh Eldred. He is also survived by his two loving sisters, Darlyne Seal of Taloga, Oklahoma and Shelah Goyen and her husband, Gary, of Olathe, Kansas. He is also survived by other family members and friends who will continue to hold Gene dear in their memory of his gentle smile and loving kindness.