1956
Michael
2013
Michael F. Coles
April 23, 1956 — September 20, 2013
Michael Francis Coles passed into the everlasting peace of God on Friday, September 20, 2013, sanctified in fulfillment of his faith in the cross of Jesus Christ and fortified with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
He was born in Alton, Illinois, on April 23, 1956, the beloved son of Bonnie Sue (nee Hendricks) Coles and the late Lawrence ('Larry') Francis Coles. His maternal grandparents were the late Stewart Madison ('Max') Hendricks and Elsie Suzzannah ('Susie') (nee Titchenal) Hendricks. The late Richard Coles and Gertrude (nee Owen) Coles were his paternal grandparents.
He is survived by his loving family: his beloved mother, Bonnie Coles of St. Charles, Missouri; a dear sister, Teresa Sue Coles of St. Charles, Missouri; and, a cherished brother Timothy Edward Coles (Eutana Howard) and niece, Raven Howard, all of Labadie, Missouri.
A talented musician, he was a renowned drummer, as well as a gifted singer, guitarist, and keyboard player who performed as a member of numerous bands and as a studio artist. He was a prolific and award-winning songwriter and lyricist whose catalogue of music includes many recorded works.
An avocational archaeologist and collector of artifacts, he possessed a subject matter expertise regarding Native American points and stone artifacts. He was a member of the Greater St. Louis Archaeological Society (GSLAS) and Central States Archaeological Society (CSAS). His interests also included geology and paleontology. In addition, he was a proficient writer and authored many published articles addressing archaeological and historical subjects.
He attended public schools in Alton and Godfrey, Illinois, and was a 1974 graduate of Hazelwood Central Senior High School, Florissant, Missouri. In 1983, he received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, graduating with Honors. He also earned a Juris Doctorate (JD) in 1988 from Saint Louis University School of Law, St. Louis, Missouri, where he served as a member of the Editorial Board for the Saint Louis University Public Law Review and was a member of Phi Alpha Delta fraternity.
As an attorney, he was an accomplished litigator. He was licensed to practice law in the States of Missouri and Illinois. His Bar memberships also included: the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri; United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois; United States Tax Court; and, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
He was a non-denominational Christian. From the time of his youth and throughout his adult life, he had a profound appreciation of history and diverse cultures; and, he was deeply concerned for Native American rights and justice.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to: Red Cloud Indian School, 100 Mission Drive, Pine Ridge, South Dakota, 57770; and/or the Harvester Church of the Nazarene, 3115 McClay Road, St. Peters, Missouri 63376.
He was born in Alton, Illinois, on April 23, 1956, the beloved son of Bonnie Sue (nee Hendricks) Coles and the late Lawrence ('Larry') Francis Coles. His maternal grandparents were the late Stewart Madison ('Max') Hendricks and Elsie Suzzannah ('Susie') (nee Titchenal) Hendricks. The late Richard Coles and Gertrude (nee Owen) Coles were his paternal grandparents.
He is survived by his loving family: his beloved mother, Bonnie Coles of St. Charles, Missouri; a dear sister, Teresa Sue Coles of St. Charles, Missouri; and, a cherished brother Timothy Edward Coles (Eutana Howard) and niece, Raven Howard, all of Labadie, Missouri.
A talented musician, he was a renowned drummer, as well as a gifted singer, guitarist, and keyboard player who performed as a member of numerous bands and as a studio artist. He was a prolific and award-winning songwriter and lyricist whose catalogue of music includes many recorded works.
An avocational archaeologist and collector of artifacts, he possessed a subject matter expertise regarding Native American points and stone artifacts. He was a member of the Greater St. Louis Archaeological Society (GSLAS) and Central States Archaeological Society (CSAS). His interests also included geology and paleontology. In addition, he was a proficient writer and authored many published articles addressing archaeological and historical subjects.
He attended public schools in Alton and Godfrey, Illinois, and was a 1974 graduate of Hazelwood Central Senior High School, Florissant, Missouri. In 1983, he received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, graduating with Honors. He also earned a Juris Doctorate (JD) in 1988 from Saint Louis University School of Law, St. Louis, Missouri, where he served as a member of the Editorial Board for the Saint Louis University Public Law Review and was a member of Phi Alpha Delta fraternity.
As an attorney, he was an accomplished litigator. He was licensed to practice law in the States of Missouri and Illinois. His Bar memberships also included: the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri; United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois; United States Tax Court; and, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
He was a non-denominational Christian. From the time of his youth and throughout his adult life, he had a profound appreciation of history and diverse cultures; and, he was deeply concerned for Native American rights and justice.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to: Red Cloud Indian School, 100 Mission Drive, Pine Ridge, South Dakota, 57770; and/or the Harvester Church of the Nazarene, 3115 McClay Road, St. Peters, Missouri 63376.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Michael F. Coles, please visit our flower store.
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