Fr. Doug Coil

April 23, 1945 - April 24, 2022

The Rev. Paul Douglas Coil “Fr. Doug”, Age 77 of Snellville, Georgia. Fr. Doug passed away on Sunday evening, April 24, 2022, one day after his 77th birthday. He was born on April 23, 1945 in Washington, D.C. He grew up in Virginia, Washington, D.C., Wyoming and California. His father, Everett Johnston Coil, died in 1950 and his mother, Mary Louise Beaton Coil died in 1963. He had one sister, Anne Gordon (Coil) Begley who died in 2015. After the death of his parents, he was raised by his godparents, the late Laszlo Ecker-Racz and Cornelia Rose. Fr. Doug is survived by his loving wife of 50 years (“50 glorious years”), Carolyn Hendrix Coil; sons, Paul William Coil and his wife Reba Coil of Bartow, Florida, and Lt. Col. (ret) Johnston Allan Coil and his wife Kristina Coil of Colorado Springs, Colorado; he is also survived by five grandchildren, Paul Jason Coil, Kaylee Rae Coil, Ainsley Lynn Coil, Lauren Elizabeth Coil and Hayley Rose Coil; in addition, he is survived by a host of other family members including sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Salem College, Salem, West Virginia in 1970 and a Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School, New Haven, Connecticut in 1973. He was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church in 1975. Fr. Doug loved being a parish priest! It was his calling. He fell in love with the people he served and thrived doing this work. In 40 years of active ministry, he had long-term pastorates in three churches: Christ Memorial Episcopal Church, Williamstown, West Virginia, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Bartow, Florida and St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Snellville, Georgia. After his retirement in July, 2013, in addition to enjoying time with family and friends and living part-time in Cocoa Beach, Florida, he and Carolyn traveled extensively, visiting all fifty states, six continents and many different countries. He also was Priest-in-Residence a number of times at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church, Ocean View, Hawaii. Doug was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, priest and friend. His infectious laughter filled a room and his wonderful smile and hugs brightened everyone’s life. When he miraculously recovered from spinal meningitis at age two, his father said, “God’s hand is on Doug.” This was certainly true his whole life. We were all blessed to have known him.   His signature prayer always was: Be at Peace. Do not fear the changes of life, Rather look to them with full hope as they arise. God whose very own you are, will deliver you out from them. He has kept you hitherto and He will lead you safely through all things; And when you cannot stand it, God will bury you in His arms. Do not be afraid of what may happen tomorrow; The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you then and every day. He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at Peace and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations. St. Francis de Sales Donations in his memory can be made to: St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 1520 Oak Road, Snellville, GA 30078 www.stmatthewssnellville.org St. David’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 600 S 4th Street, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 www.stdavidchurch.org St. Jude’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 6026, Ocean View, HI 96737 www.stjudeshawaii.org Celebration of Life Memorial Service St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Snellville, Georgia on May 14, 2022. Greeting the family: 10:00 am Service: 11:00 am followed by lunch in the parish hall