A retired CRNA (nurse anesthetist) and a resident of Thibodaux, Basil Arthur Coats died at 5:55 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, 2008, in Baton Rouge from complications due to surgery. He was 88 and a native of Shelbyville, Texas.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps and received a Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. Dad survived three months in the Buchenwald concentration camp and five months in Stalag Luft 3 prisoner of war camp in Germany.

Arrangements entrusted to Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Gertrude L. Coats; two daughters and sons-in-law, Kelli and Jimmy Thompson, of Alvin, Texas, and Karen and Lakshman Velupillai, of Baton Rouge; two sons and daughters-in-law, Paul R. and Peggy Coats, of Patterson, and R. Morris and Lisa Coats, of Thibodaux; 10 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers.

He loved his God, his family and his country. He was a Masonic lodge member for 60 years. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in anesthesiology. He loved fishing and woodworking. He also loved visiting with family and friends and never knew a stranger. He wrote poetry. Special thanks to Mary Ambeau (My Mary), his caregiver in his last months. He loved much and was much loved.

Obituary published in The Advocate on 4/5/2008.

Basil Coats (1919)