Coates, Michael R, MD

78, was Born on June 22,1946 to Robert & Vivian Coates in Cincinnati, Ohio.   He moved to Pinellas County in 1955.  He was a 1964 graduate of Boca Ciega High School. He received both his Bachelor of Science and his MD degrees from The University of Florida where he was a proud Sigma Chi Brother.  He completed a five year residency at Harbor General/UCLA in  General Surgery.  He then completed a two year fellowship in Plastic Surgery in Phoenix Arizona prior to returning to his beloved St Petersburg to set up his first practice.  He was Board Certified and was a highly respected and sought-after Surgeon providing exceptional personal care to his patients for more than 22 years before retiring to Dunnellon, FL and Glenville, NC.

An avid golfer, he was a former member of Pasadena Country Club, Seminole Lake Country Club and Trillium Country Club.  He was a member of The Polywogs.  He enjoyed boating on his beloved Withlacoochee River and Lake Glenville NC while spending time with his family and friends, including his many canine and feline family members.  He was an accomplished snow skier and motorcycle enthusiast and he and his wife took many trips enjoying snow country out West and riding in the hills of North Carolina.

A true animal lover, he was affectionately called “Saint Francis” because of his ability to find lost & abandoned dogs and cats and find new homes for them. He was a man of great wit, a wicked sense of humor and an enormous heart.  When asked how he would like to be remembered, his reply was “as a good man that always tried to do the right thing”. 

He was pre-deceased by his sister, Sandy Gibson.   He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Diane “Dee” Coates, Dunnellon, FL; his son, Marshall Lowe, Largo, FL; Brothers in law, James Gibson, Seminole, FL and Rick Nulty (Chris) DeBary, FL; Niece Tara Wheeldon (Matt) and grand nieces Morgan and Makena, Trinity, FL.

There will be a Celebration of Life scheduled at a later date.