Richard R. Coale, Jr.

12/31/1957 — 08/05/2012

My father was diagnosed with Stage IIIc melanoma on October 6, 2011. He was so strong and so brave. Between October and December 2011 he had three surgeries.

He was finally able to start Zelboraf in January 2012. It worked extremely well for about 4 months. He was even able to return to work on a modified schedule. In May we found out it stopped working and on August 5, surrounded by his wife and kids, parents, siblings, and niece and nephew, he passed away.

It has left a hole in our family that no one could possibly fill. We miss his laugh, sense of humor, and smile every day. We miss and love you so much, Daddy!

Megan Coale, daughter

In memory of my father, Richard Coale, who lost his battle with cancer last year after a long hard fight.

In actuality, he did not lose anything but his time on Earth. No matter what was happening at the time, he was always himself, even when the cancer was at its worst. We know he must have been scared … but you would never know it. Only days before his passing, I fondly remember him singing out loud while the hospice nurse washed his hair, which had curled from the treatments.

He left behind many great memories. Not a day goes by that I do not think of him (or talk to him for that matter), and although his life here on Earth is no more … he lives on in each and every one of us who had the pleasure of knowing him. That is the greatest thing anyone could ever hope for in life … to be remembered and talked about with a smile. 🙂 He IS a great man!

Thank you to everyone reading this and for all your support through this difficult time. The next time you see another person who knew Dad, talk about a funny moment or experience you may have had with him. May he live on in each of us and bring a smile to our faces from time to time, just to let us know he’s there. 🙂

Joshua and Courtney Coale, son and daughter-in-law