Richard Allan Coté

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Richard Allan Coté, who departed this life on January 6, 2026, at the age of 94.

Richard was born on May 10, 1931, in Detroit to Myron and Dorothy Coté. He was united in marriage to his beloved wife, Betty Brownson, on June 2, 1962. Following his service in the U.S. Army in Korea, Richard pursued his education in business and gunsmithing in Colorado. He made a remarkable mark in the firearms community, initially joining Wessel Gun Shop in Detroit in the late 1960s, where he later became the owner in 1972. In the early 1980s, he and his brother, Joe, relocated the shop to the corner of 9 Mile Road and Ryan in Warren, Michigan. In 1998, after successfully running the business, they decided to sell it, with Richard continuing as the dedicated gunsmith.

Outside of work, Richard had a profound love for reading and was an avid competitor in sport skeet shooting, earning numerous trophies throughout his participation.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Myron and Dorothy; his brother, Neil; his sister, Ellen; and his niece, Susan. He leaves behind his cherished wife, Betty Coté; his daughter, Sandy (Bruce) Demski; his brother, Joseph (Gladys) Coté; and a host of loving nieces and nephews, including Chris (Debbie) Coté, Richard (Cindy) Coté, Lynne Marie Coté, Andrew Coté, and Christopher (Amanda) Brownson. He also takes with him wonderful memories of his great-nieces and nephews, Jackie Coté, Jamie (Mike) Lederer, Jennifer Coté, Joe Coté, as well as great-great nieces and nephews, Hayden Coté, Conner Coté, Jared Coté, Sarah Brownson, and Natalie Coté.

Friends and family are invited to pay their respects during the Visitation on Saturday, January 10, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the 4:00 p.m. Funeral Service at Wysocki & Wilk Funeral Home, located at 29440 Ryan Road, Warren, Michigan. Richard’s cremated remains will be interred at the Great Lakes National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Wounded Warrior Project in memory of Richard.

We invite you to share your memories, thoughts, or prayers with the family in Richard’s online guestbook as we celebrate a life well-lived.