Leo Arthur Coakley was born July 10, 1934 in Omaha Nebraska to Leo Patrick Coakley and Ruth Saylor Coakley. He was one of six siblings. He was married to Bettie N. Coakley, and the pair welcomed 10 children, 27 grandchildren, and 27 great-grandchildren. He spent 24 years in the United States Coast Guard and 10 in the oilfield. He retired in 1991 and moved to Colorado where he lived his dream. He built a beautiful home and enjoyed the mountains until 2000, then moved to Florida in 2001. He fought a good fight from 2002, the date of his first stroke until the Lord said it was time to rest and called him home. He will be forever loved and missed by his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Leo Patrick Coakley and Ruth Saylor Coakley, his brothers Richard Patrick and Robert Coakley, his sister Mary Krabbe, 2 children, and 1 great-grandchild.

He is survived by his loving wife Bettie, 8 children, 27 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

The Coakley family has a very special thank you to his caretaker, Denise Corbett. She gave him lots of love and the best of care.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on June 9, 2022 at 11:45am at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Pass Christian before the committal service at Biloxi National Cemetery.

Southern Mississippi Funeral Services is honored to serve the Coakley family.