GEORGE V. KOKIKO
Nov. 8, 1926-Sept. 23, 2008
George Victor Kokiko, 81, passed away peacefully on Tuesday at Kitty Askins Hospice Center after several months of declining health. He was the late widower of Bette Ann Wall Kokiko with whom he shared 46 wonderful years of marriage.
Born Nov. 8, 1926, he was the youngest of 10 children of Hungarian immigrants Erzsebet Stefko and Michael Kokiko Sr. of Hopwood, Pa. In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his five brothers, Paul, Charles, Frank, John and Michael; three sisters, Mary, Helen, and Ann; and a brother-in-law, Hank Wall Jr.
Like four of his brothers, Vic was proud to have enlisted in the military service. At the age of 17, he spent 14 months in training as a radio bomber as W.W.II was ending. In peacetime, he patrolled over China, Japan, and the Philippines.
After an honorable discharge from the Navy, he attended Davis and Elkins College in Elkins, W.V. where he played on the tennis team. He attended medical school at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University, where he completed his pathology residency in 1961. He joined the Wayne County Medical Staff in 1962, and practiced in Goldsboro for 36 years. During his time on the medical staff, he served as President, helped establish obstetrical rotations at Wayne Memorial Hospital for medical students from East Carolina University, and served on numerous hospital committees.
Affectionately known as "Dr. K" , he was excellent cook and well-known for his delicious cheesecake. He was an avid golfer and card player for decades, and also enjoyed several years as a successful rosarian.
He is survived by one sister, Margaret Secosky of Uniontown, Pa.; three sons, Michael Victor Kokiko and wife, Donnaldson Brown of Brooklyn, N.Y., James Wall Kokiko of Goldsboro, and Hugh Geoffrey Kokiko and wife, Kelly of Goldsboro; and one daughter, Kathryn Lynn Kokiko of Raleigh; three grandchildren, Lyle Kokiko of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Victor and Madison Kokiko of Goldsboro; and many special nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at Seymour Funeral Home on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the Kitty Askins Hospice Center, 107 Handley Park Court, P.O. Box 88, Goldsboro, N.C., 27534 or First Presbyterian Church, 1101 East Ash Street, Goldsboro, N.C., 27530.
Arrangements are being handled by Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 1300 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro, N.C., 27534.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on September 23, 2008 1:34 PM