Keith J. Coates passed away peacefully with his children and grandchildren by his side on Saturday morning, Dec. 7, 2013, at the Clarkson Health Care facility in Rapid City.

Keith was born to “Kitty” and Leonard Coates on April 29, 1928. He was born and grew up in his beloved Platte, SD, where he was well known for his exploits in baseball, basketball and football. He graduated from Platte High School in 1946.

He attended South Dakota State University for two years, took a year off to teach junior high in Platte, and then returned to SDSU, completing his education in 1951. Following a four-year stint in the Navy, he taught at Corsica High School for a year and then Platte for five years.

After completing his Master’s Degree in 1961, he took his first administration job in Provo, SD, for three years before moving to Rapid City in 1964. After a year of selling insurance he returned to education as the Athletic Director of Douglas High School, which was followed by five years as the principal of North Junior High, two years at South Junior High and ultimately, his dream job as principal of Central High School. After following a self-imposed limitation of staying at a school for no more than five years, he spent 18 years at the helm of Central High School as he felt that any other job in education was a demotion. He was a much admired principal by staff and students alike and was a constant presence at nearly every activity occurring at Central High School during and following his time as principal. Perhaps his favorite greeting in the world started with “oh, you were my principal at…” No one ever embodied the idea of “Once a Cobbler, always a Cobbler” more than Mr. Coates.

Upon retirement, he continued his full-time job as “Grandad” to not only his own seven grandchildren but to countless numbers of the grandchildren’s teammates. He and wife Charollene logged thousands of miles (and went through three vans) attending graduations, athletic contests, musical performances and plays. No one ever enjoyed his/her grandchildren more than Mr. Coates.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Charollene of Rapid City; brother, Gailen Coates of Mitchell; and sons Mike of Fargo, ND, Kerry (Peggy) and Kip (Mary), all of Rapid City. He has seven grandchildren: granddaughters Stacey (Andy) Currie, Kristi (Lance) Roetman, and Lindsay Boyd and grandsons Kelly, Casey, Riley, and Keith Coates. He also has four great-grandchildren: Kaden and Kaci Currie and Kylar and Keelie Roetman.