Joseph Coad

Joseph Emerson Coad, 77, of Cape Girardeau, passed away Sat., Feb. 10, 2007, at his home. By his side was his wife of 56 years, Edna Ruth (Nell) Coad.

Mr. Coad was born Oct. 16, 1929, in St. Louis, Mo., the son of Joseph M. and Neva (Parker) Coad. His work ethic was instilled in him as a child growing up during the Great Depression. He worked for his father as a child and teenager doing mechanical work, clean-up, and anything else asked of him at Coad Garage, a small shop that serviced Greyhound buses in St. Louis. As a young adult he bought his own filling station in St. Louis. He married the love of his life, Edna Ruth Nelson, in St. Louis on Nov. 25, 1950.

In 1964, Joe and Nell moved to Ridgway, Ill., with their three children when Joe purchased his first Chevrolet dealership. He then purchased the former Pearl Motor Company in Anna in 1977. The family acquired the Chevrolet dealership in Cape Girardeau in 1979, and added the former Lawrence and Moore dealership in Perryville in 1985. In 1986, Brennecke Chevrolet in Jackson joined the Coad family of dealerships, and Mr. Coad's last business venture was to acquire the Cape Girardeau Toyota dealership in 2005.

Joe had a great passion for life and for those who were a part of his journey. This included his family and the hundreds of employees who came to know and respect him. He cherished the relationships that were rooted in his business. His love of golf and the friendships he made playing the game were dear to him as well.

Mr. Coad's greatest legacy, however, and his proudest achievement was his family. The second and third generations of Coads are now working together to manage the Coad family of dealerships. Joe is survived by his wife, Nell; two sons, Michael (Cathy) Coad of Jonesboro, Timothy (Jennifer) Coad of Cape Girardeau, and a daughter, Christina (Rick) Kennard of Jackson. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Jennifer (Jason) Miller of Jonesboro, Katie (Tim) Flynn of Chicago, Ill., Maggie (Andy) O'Guin of St. Louis, Lori (Garrett) Smith of Anna, Allie Coad of Chicago, Leah (Craig) Prost of Carlock, Ill., Greg (Tara) Kennard of Cape Girardeau, Matt Kennard of Cape Girardeau, and Hogan and Hattie Coad of Cape Girardeau. Also surviving are four great-grandchildren, Abby, Brooke and Hannah Miller of Jonesboro, and Connor Kennard of Cape Girardeau. He is also survived by three brothers, Dan Coad of Denver, Colo., Don Coad of Rolla, Mo., and Norman Coad of Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mr. Coad was a member of St. Vincent de Paul parish in Cape Girardeau. He was a member of Cape Girardeau Country Club and a charter member of Dalhousie Golf Club. He was a longtime volunteer at Saint Francis Medical Center and many other civic organizations.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home with parish prayers at 7 p.m.

Funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Vincent de Paul Church. Burial will follow at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to American Cancer Society or Chateau Girardeau Foundation.