John Coates, Former OCC Professor, Dead at 65
John R. Coates, a retired professor who developed a breakthrough English as a Second Language program at Orange Coast College, died at home Thursday after a short illness. He was 65.
“John played a prominent role on campus as an academic leader and as a personal friend to colleagues and students,” said Robert Dees, dean of OCC’s Literature and Languages Division. “He was a wonderful teacher. Students absolutely adored him.”
Coates, who was born in Sedaliu, Mo., lived for many years in Costa Mesa before moving to Long Beach.
He earned a bachelor of arts in English at UCLA and a master’s degree in English from USC. He received a master’s degree in guidance from Cal State Los Angeles.
Coates translated German for the Army Security Agency while stationed abroad.
In 1963, he joined the OCC faculty as an English and German instructor. He became a professor of English in 1972 and served as assistant chair of the Literature and Languages Division for eight years. Since retiring in 1984, Coates taught English on a part-time basis.
“He loved to teach,” Dees said. “He never wanted to give that up.”
He is survived by two children, Elizabeth, 42, and Phillip, 31.
A memorial service will be held at OCC next week. Information: (714) 432-5716.
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