James Paul "Buddy" Coates

James Paul “Buddy” Coates, 69, of Etowah, passed away Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at the Charles George VA Medical Center.

Born May 6, 1954 in Asheville, Buddy was a son of the late Paul and Cora Griffin Coates. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Teresa Bradley and Brenda Coates, and his brother, Ronald “Ronnie” Coates.

Mr. Coates proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1971 to 1974. He worked for 20 years providing lawn services throughout Buncombe Co. He was also a member of Etowah Baptist Church, and had been a past member of Trinity Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Keyes Coates; sisters, Phyllis Rowland (Don) and Paula Fox (Frank); brother, Larry Coates; and multiple nieces and nephews.

The funeral service, with military honors, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Groce Funeral Home chapel on Patton Ave. The Rev. Jeff Hudson will officiate. Interment will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Monday at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, Black Mountain.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Buddy’s honor may be made to a charity of one’s choice.