Donald Louis Coad

Donald L. Coad, 87, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at Park Avenue Estates in Lexington. Don was born April 30, 1922, in rural Cawker City, Kansas to Edgar F. and Grace (Wise) Coad, the second of six children. The family moved to a farm at Auburn, Nebraska, March 1, 1933. He worked at the (Golden Rule) J.C. Penny Store part-time while going to Auburn High School. After graduation in 1939, Don worked at J.C. Penny, working his way up to assistant manager. While working at Penny’s he met Betty J. Noyes and they were married March 22, 1942 at Auburn, Nebraska. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in October, 1942, during World War II, and was honorably discharged in December, 1945 and went to work for the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in Falls City, Nebraska. In September 1956, he and Betty purchased the Morgan Oil Service Station at Lexington, Nebraska, operating it until October, 1977. He worked for Hodges Chevrolet for a short time and then sold insurance and operated the Greyhound Bus Depot in the old Lexington Hotel until he retired in 2002. Don and Betty celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 22, 1992. He was an active member of the First Christian Church of Lexington, Nebraska for 50+ years. He belonged to Thistle Lodge #61 AF & AM, Masons, Dawson Chapter #33, Order of the Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Grand Patron of Nebraska in 1972/73; he helped reorganize the DeMolay Chapter and served as DeMolay Dad for several years. He was also a member of Kiwanis, Rotary and was active in Boy Scouts. Survivors include his son: Don W. Coad of Aylett, Virginia Two daughters: Judy (Ron) Linden of Lexington, Nebraska Sue Houdesheldt of North Platte, Nebraska Three grandchildren: Beverly (Mark) Lowell of Deer Trail, CO; Barry Linden and fiancée, Diane Feliciano of Olathe, KS; and Travis Coad of Radford, VA; six great-grandchildren; Morgan Lowell, Austin Lowell, Abbi Lowell, Amber Linden, Jake Linden and Beckett Linden. One brother: Merwin Coad of Hollywood, Florida Two sisters: Marilyn Grafe of Grand Junction, Colorado Barbara Whitman of Evart, Michigan Don was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Betty in 1997; son-in-law, George Houdesheldt in 2006; sister, Dorine; brother, Duane; brothers-in-law, Harold Grafe and Richard Whitman, and nephew, James Coad. Services will be held Monday, February 1, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at Lexington Christian Church with Reverends K.C. BeDunnah and Jim Henry officiating. Burial with Military Honors and Eastern Star Rites will be in the Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington. Visitation will be held Sunday, January 31, 2010, from 3-6 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Chapel in Lexington. Memorials are suggested to the Family for later designation, or to the Donor’s Choice. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be directed to: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.