Blue Ridge Funeral & Cremation Service        7626 Highway 213      Mars Hill, NC 28754     Phone: (828) 680-9963      Fax: (828) 680-9965      Email: brfs@blueridgefuneralservice.org


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Obituary for Wesley Ryan Coates

Wesley Coates passed away Tuesday April 8, 2014, from injuries he sustained as a passenger in a motor vehicle accident. He was 24 years old. Wesley is survived by his mother Lesa Taylor Coates (fiance Greg Taffer), father Christopher Coates (wife Kelli), his brother Neill Coates, his fiance Rachel Metcalf and his stepbrothers Ryan Craine and Tim Murray, all of Mars Hill. He is also survived by his grandmothers, Doris Taylor of Marshall, and Kathleen Coates of Mars Hill, several aunts and uncles, cousins and other relatives. Both his grandfathers, Lawrence Landon Taylor and Boyd Coates, predeceased him.
Wesley was an avid hunter, sportsman and collector. He refused to be disabled although he had been paralyzed from a work accident since his 18th year. He loved to hunt, camp, and spend his time outdoors with family, friends, or alone on his four-wheeler. If any barrier stood in his way, it did not stand for long. Many a time he strapped himself and his wheelchair on that four-wheeler and took off to Nana's, to a friend's, or deep into the woods to hunt.Wesley was an independent spirit, had independent character, and lived-- for the most part-- an independent life.
Wesley, born and raised in Madison County, graduated from North Buncombe High School in 2007. He was a member of Grapevine Baptist Church, where he was baptized on September 24, 2006.
Wesley is remembered by his friends and family for his smiling face, cheerful disposition, and dry sense of humor. Wes loved being outdoors. He also loved to sit around and talk, whether it be until the early morning hours around a campfire, around a bonfire with his friends, or out on the patio with his mom and Neill.
Wesley Coates accepted the challenges that life threw at him, quietly overcoming obstacles without a trace of regret, whine, or complaint. Although subject to the normal attributes of youth, and by no means a perfect person, Wes taught some of us older ones how to accept difficulty and to live our lives with a greater sense of vigor, passion, and grace. He demonstrated to us a maturity beyond his years. We are thankful for the time we had him in our lives.
Funeral services will be at Grapevine Baptist Church on Saturday April 12, 2014, at 11 am. Burial and graveside service will follow the funeral at the church cemetery. Reverend Danny Jenkins will officiate. Visitation will be at Blue Ridge Funeral Service, on Friday April 11, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and at the parents' homes at other times.
On behalf of Lesa Coates and family, we want to thank everyone for their prayers and support during the loss of her son. When Wesley was paralyzed in 2007, the Eblen Charities provided support for Lesa's lodging in Atlanta when he was being treated at the Shepherd Center. Lesa has seen firsthand all the help that Eblen has given to kids through the years. Many of you have asked what you can do for the family during this time.

If you would like to make a donation to Eblen Charities in Wesley's name, this would mean a lot to the family to support other families in need.
In lieu of flowers donations can be mailed to: 50 Westgate Parkway, Asheville, NC 28806
or made online at www.eblencharities.org
Please designate "In Memory of Wesley Coates"




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