Born on November 15, 1970, in Portland, Indiana, Matthew Ryan Coats was the beloved son of Thomas and Peggy Coats. He graduated from Twin Lakes High School. Matt was really proud of his Indiana roots and enjoyed complaining about how no one in Oklahoma knew how to drive in the snow.

Sometime around Y2K, Matt and company moved south to Oklahoma, where he stumbled into his true calling: telling people what to do. He was good at it. He rose through the ranks at Walmart, becoming a beloved Assistant Manager. After nearly 20 years there, Matt moved to Homeland, where he served as both Assistant Manager and Store Manager.

Matt took pride in his work and led by example. He was the kind of leader who rolled up his sleeves and worked right alongside his crew, earning respect through effort, not titles. That spirit of camaraderie, paired with his kindness, humor, and quiet steadiness, made him everyone's favorite boss.

That same mix of patience, sarcasm, and charm that made him a favorite at work turned out to be a pretty effective dating strategy too. It was at Walmart that Matt met Lacy. Their first date was pretty awkward, but Matt was instantly smitten. On their second date, he proposed, and like an idiot, she said yes. Seven months later, on a cold morning in February, they eloped down to the courthouse. After tying the knot, Matt whisked Lacy away to the parking lot of a shady-looking Walgreens to pick up her wedding gift: a red miniature dachshund they named Fenway. Fenway was their "gateway critter," and it didn't take long for things to get out of hand. Before they knew it, the house was crawling, hopping, and slithering with life-dogs, lizards, frogs, toads, turtles, tortoises, geckos, scorpions, and, most notably, spiders. Together they collected and bred tarantulas from around the world, at one point caring for more than 500 in what they affectionately called their "spider room." Matt was especially passionate about snakes and was known to drone endlessly about dominant and recessive genes. This led to a lot of needless, science-related conversation in their marriage.

Matt rooted for the Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Bucs, and OKC Thunder. He loved comic books and had strong opinions about Professor Hulk (don't even get him started). He enjoyed professional wrestling and playing chess, and during chemo, he rediscovered his inner child through LEGOs.

Matt was a devoted son, loyal brother, and doting uncle. He loved his family deeply, even when they gave him good reason to shake his head. He made sure the people he loved always knew and felt it.

When Matt was diagnosed with cancer in April, he refused to see it as the end. He treated it like one more mountain to climb, stepping bravely into the unknown with faith, humor, and determination. He met each day with courage and sarcasm in equal measure, never losing his spark. Matt went the distance. He fought valiantly, loved deeply, and faced the impossible with grace.

On Sunday evening, surrounded by his loving family, Matt slipped peacefully from this world and into the arms of his Savior, healed and whole at last. He was 54.

Matt is preceded in death by his mom, Peggy Coats, and his grandparents, Esther and Joe Gaskill. He is survived by his dad, Thomas Coats; brother, Brad Coats; sister, Beth Floyd; niece, Peighton Floyd; friend and former wife, Lacy French; and five dogs who loved him endlessly.
The family would like to extend their deepest thanks to the incredible caregivers who supported Matt throughout his journey. The nurses at the Stillwater Cancer Center, including Kathrine, Brandi, Mindy, Coley, and Jennifer, cared for him with such compassion and kindness. Special thanks also to Tonya, the social worker at the Cancer Center, whose guidance and care meant so much along the way. They would also like to thank his ICU nurses Danielle, Stacie, Jessica, Danna, Dee, Max, Christina, Callie, and Shiloh for their extraordinary care and comfort in his final days. Gratitude is also extended to his hospice nurse Dani, his oncologist Dr. Puckett, and his ICU doctors Dr. Payne and Dr. Gray for their compassion.