JERRY HAROLD COKER
June 28, 1949 - April 10, 2009
LAGRANGE -- Jerry Harold Coker, 59, was welcomed into Heaven on Friday evening at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill surrounded by his family.
Jerry was born in Wayne County to the late Leon Coker and Doris Butts Coker. He retired from Dupont with over 30 years of service. Jerry graduated from New Hope High School in 1968 and later served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Jerry will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. Jerry was an avid Carolina Fan and was very proud of the Carolina team for winning the National Championship. He enjoyed fishing and watching baseball games, but Jerry received the most pleasure in life from riding his grandchildren around on his golf cart.
For those who knew Jerry, he will be remembered as a caring, compassionate man and loyal friend to so many. The loves of Jerry's life were God, family and friends. Even during his illness he never gave up or let go of his firm belief in the power of prayer. Jerry was a member of the Goldsboro Worship Center, where he served on the church council.
Funeral services will be held Monday at 7 p.m. at Goldsboro Worship Center with the Rev. Danny Johnson and the Rev. Joseph Leonard officiating. A private interment for the family will be held Tuesday at the Gray Family Cemetery with military honors.
More than anything else, Jerry has been devoted to his high school sweetheart for 42 years, Trudy Gray Coker and their children, Chris Coker and wife, Shirley, of Wilmington and Tracy Coker Bedford of Goldsboro; and his grandchildren, Emily Bedford and Dallas Coker. He was eagerly awaiting his third grandchild, expected in September. He is also survived by his brothers, Leon Cleveland Coker and wife, Becky, Larry Earl Coker and wife, Pam, and Donald Coker, all of Goldsboro; his sisters, Cathy Coker Rhodes, Wendy Coker Rhodes and husband, Michael, and Priscilla Coker Frederick and husband, Greg, all of Goldsboro; his mother-in-law, Mack Seane Gray Southerland; his sisters-in-law, Donna Gray Perry and Connie Coker; and several nieces and nephews. Jerry enjoyed spending time with his special K-9 friend of 13 years, Cody.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Ronnie Glenn Coker.
Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to the Goldsboro Worship Center, 900 W. New Hope Road, Goldsboro, NC 27530.
The family will receive friends Monday following the service in the fellowship hall of Goldsboro Worship Center and other times at his home, 548 Parkstown Road, LaGrange.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on April 12, 2009 10:18 AM