Cleve Clarence Coates

Cleve Coates

Gunnison, Utah

Our beloved, husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend Cleve Clarence Coates, 91, passed away January 15, 2019, at the care center in Centerfield, Utah. Cleve was born March 7, 1927, in Gunnison, to Clarence Hyrum and Laura Jane Metcalf Coates. He was the oldest son and learned early to handle a team of horses to do the farming. He had great memories of the team – Ted and Bird. He told of pulling contests that were won with this team. At the age of 6 he plowed the fields by himself with a team of horses.

He married Geneal Nola Larsen on June 26, 1950, in the Manti Temple and shared 66 years of marriage. She passed away on November 1, 2016. They met at the Redmono Dance Hall by Redmond Lake. That started many years as dance partners which was an activity they enjoyed before and after they were married. They were very devoted to each other and proud of their 24 grandchildren, 64 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

Cleve worked at the sugar factory in Centerfield and beet plant in West Jordan. We enjoyed listening to the fun pranks he and his coworkers played on each other. He was the water master for 28 years on the Westview canal and 22 years on the Piute canal. Concrete ditches were poured to help conserve water for the crops. He had a major part in their construction. He operated the caterpillar to cut out the base so the concrete ditches could be poured. He would get up in the mornings at 4:00 am and ride the canals. He drove a CJ2 1947 jeep and his boys enjoyed taking turns going with him. He would finish by 8:00 am so he could start farming and farmed until dark. He was a permittee and herder on Twelve Mile for 20 years. He enjoyed riding horses and staying up on the mountain with Geneal in the summer while he was herding the cattle. He always had fine horses and well trained cattle dogs.

Cleve and Geneal raised six boys and supported them in their sports and 4H Riding Club competitions. They traveled many miles to take them to events and watch them participate. They taught them the value of hard work by doing farming and ranching.

He is survived by his sons: Brent (Joan) Coates, Dale (Michele) Coates, both of Aurora; Wes (Billie) Coates, Mayfield; Mark (Delene) Coates, Gunnison; and Blake (Nancy) Coates, Preston, ID; daughter-in-law, Dana Coates, Aurora; siblings: Mary Pavich, Murray; Boyd (Wilma) Coates, Aurora; Zada (James) Gates, Rocklin, CA; Clara Coates, Salt Lake; sisters-in-law: Saundra Coates, Marge Coates, both of Gunnison; brothers-in-law: Darwood (Hilga) Larsen, Olympia, WA; Norman (June) Larsen, Highland; and Lynn (Konnie), Bountiful.

Those who also preceded him in death are his parents; son, Neal Dee Coates; sisters: Nola Coates Aston, Laura Fay Coates, Wyona Coates; brothers, Clyde Coates and Guy Coates; brother-in-law, John Pavich.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at 12:00 Noon in the Gunnison LDS Stake Center, 80 West Center, where friends may call for viewing Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. or Tuesday morning from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Gunnison City Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary of Richfield, Salina, and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com