Coates

A gift from the estate of Thomas Coates will establish funds to support “Project Lead the Way” in the department of engineering, math, science and technology at New Mexico State University Carlsbad.

One is a current use fund to purchase equipment for the program and the second, a scholarship endowment for students in that department.

Coates, a self-taught electronics buff, was a ham radio operator from an early age. Through that hobby he connected with people all over the world. One of them, F. Wilmer “Doc” Atkinson, also became a personal friend and mentor. He and his wife retired to Carlsbad and Coates to Roswell.