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Arthur Edward Coker, Jr.
1945 - 2022
Arthur Edward Coker, Jr.
1945 - 2022
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1945
DIED
2022
Arthur Coker, Jr. Obituary
Mr. Arthur Edward Coker, Jr., 77, of Panama City, FL, passed away on Monday, October 3, 2022. He was born on September 5, 1945 in Coffeyville, KS to Arthur Edward Coker, Sr. and Dorothy Lee Zeigler Coker.
Mr. Coker was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during the Vietnam Conflict. He operated Coker Plumbing in Panama City and also worked for the Department of Corrections as a corrections officer, retiring in 2015, after 27 ½ years of dedicated service. Mr. Coker was Baptist by faith. He coached Southport little league baseball and he loved to travel to Tennessee, but since he was a big kid at heart, his favorite place to visit was Disney World. After he retired, cooking became his passion.
His family and friends will miss his delicious, homemade meals, especially his ribs, spaghetti and different types of bread. He loved football and was a die-hard Miami Hurricanes and Miami Dolphins fan. His favorite time of the year was Christmas and it gave him special joy to work for weeks to decorate his yard for all of his family and neighbors to enjoy. He loved his children and grandchildren with all of his heart and he will be greatly missed.
Mr. Coker is preceded in death by his parents and one grandson, Matthew Paris.
He is survived by his wife, Linda W. Coker; four children, Jimmy Coker (Tina) of Sneads, FL, Sonia Paris (Scott) of Panama City, FL, Donnie Coker (Tracey) of Lynn Haven, FL, Erick Coker (Renea) of Madison, AL; one brother, John Coker (Sherri) of Ocala, FL; nine grandchildren, Blake Coker (Whitney), Nicholas Paris, Ericka Marshall (Harris), Brett Coker, Colby Coker, Bellah Coker, Trey Coker, Katarina Coker and Charley Coker; five great-grandchildren, Landon Paris, Carter Paris, Colton Paris, Adeline Coker and Cooper Coker.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 21, 2022 at Southerland Family Funeral Home. A reception will follow in the funeral home reception hall.
The family will receive friends at 1:00 p.m. prior to the service.
The family would like to express a special thanks to Covenant Hospice for their care and compassion, especially, Lisa, Melissa and Angel.
13 Entries
Diana Cowan McQuagge
August 30, 2025
Dear Coker Family, I know this will be another painfull time of year for all of u! U R in my thoughts and prayers and sending my love for all of U! When I think of Doc I have nothing but good thoughts and memories. Just know I am thinking of all of U! Diana Cowan.
Diana Cowan McQuagge
October 12, 2023
Dear Coker Family, all of you are in my prayers today. Doc was well thought of by so many of us. I remember back when you guys hit Southport, FL. I knew what a great family you all were. Doc left us too soon. He was a great Father and a great man on earth. Just remember we have to be ready to meet him one day. You sons and daughter take care of Mom until then. Always remember Diana Cowan McQuagge loves everyone of your family. I don’t get out due to what COVID-19 did to me in 2020. Just know I care!
Diana Cowan McQuagge
October 23, 2022
Dear Linda and all the Family, This was a shocker and very hurting to me. He will be missed by all. I had an emergency that took me to Gulf Coast Hospital with the person I am caregiver of. I could feel Doc's spirit everywhere I had to travel from ER and all over that place. I needed him so bad to transport me many times. I talked to him. He heard me. So sorry, I did not make the service. But during all of this many thoughts and prayers have gone out and up for the entire family. I still remember you first coming to Southport and the years from that time. I will never forget anyone of you great people. Doc and Linda has raised an outstanding family. It shines on this earth. You can be very proud of all of this. He will live on in all our heart that had the honor of knowing Doc.
God Be With Each of U As U Carry on His Journey.
A friend In Christ. Diana Cowan McQuagge
I love each and everyone of you. You know that.
Katie Kelley
October 22, 2022
What a lovely service. I´m so glad I could be there hearing all the great stories. What a legend among legend! I wish peace for all of you, in due time.
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Elliott Family
October 20, 2022
Linda,
We are so very sorry for the loss of your precious husband. It was evident from all the "Doc´s latest culinary endeavor stories", to the pictures in your office, and the excitement in your voice before Disney trips- just how much you truly loved him and spending time with him! Though he is now gone from this earthly world, we rejoice in knowing he is healthy and whole in Heaven with our Great Savior. We are certain he will be watching over you and the family in the days and weeks ahead. Sending you the longest, warmest hug. We love you!!!!
Love,
Char, Steven, and Hannah Elliott
Vicki Syfrett
October 17, 2022
Linda and family,
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May God Bless you all!
Vicki Syfrett
Terri Knowles
October 15, 2022
Jimmy, I am so sorry for the loss of your Farther. I’ve never met him but could tell by your pictures over the years how much he loved his wife and family and how incredibly proud of his children and grandchildren he was. If we can do anything please let us know for as a work family, “We never walk alone”! Praying for you and your family.
John and janet ( coker) Cameron
October 15, 2022
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Michael H. Sarra
October 14, 2022
May God be with the family during this time of great sorrow. Sympathy and condolences to the family.
Bob and Kathy Schultz
October 11, 2022
Linda, and family, We, Kathy and Bob Schultz, are so sorry of the loss of "Doc." It is always hard as what to say at a time like this. He is in a better place and please know, continued prayers are coming your way. Bob and Kathy
Cindy Morris
October 11, 2022
Erick, We are thinking of you and your family. May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Jerry Buscher
October 11, 2022
Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Gadsden Correctional Facility
Warden Jerry Buscher & Staff
Johnny Baker
October 9, 2022
I will definitely miss you, my friend. Lot of good times we all had a the work release center. Now that I am retired, I always think about you, Lt Webb, Fowler, JJ, & many of the others. To Jimmy and the family, we will keep you guys in our prayers and thoughts. Let God guide you and lean on his loving arms for your comfort. There aren't many good men in this world anymore, and now, there's ones less, with Art's passing.
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100 E. 19th Street, Panama City, FL 32405
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