James Stanley Coker

James Stanley Coker obituary, Bethany, OK

James Stanley Coker

James Coker Obituary

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Mercer-Adams Funeral Service from Mar. 13 to Mar. 22, 2025.

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James Stanley Coker passed away on March 11, 2025. He was born on July 3, 1937 to Robert Houston Coker and Ruth Elva Arbaugh at home in Trousdale, OK. He was the eighth of nine children growing up with humble beginnings in a home without electricity or indoor plumbing. At an early age, James was eager to start earning money and his first job was baling hay for a penny a bale. At 15, he hitchhiked to Oklahoma City to work in a steel mill and stayed throughout that summer in a boarding house.
James graduated from Wanette High School in 1955 and moved to Oklahoma City where he began his career in the sheet metal industry. He worked as a foreman in the commercial sheet metal industry specializing in HVAC for 44 years. His projects took him all over Oklahoma from Idabel in the Southeast up to the panhandle and Miami in the northeast down to Altus in the southwest. After many years with Swanda Brothers, he transitioned to ACP and retired in 1999. Since 1956, James was a proud member of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association, Local 124. He passed down his incredible work ethic to his son and grandchildren.
James and Mary Ann Lawson were married on December 8, 1956 in Wanette, Oklahoma and welcomed one son, Stanley Ray Coker, in 1963. Family was everything to him. He was a devoted father, grandpa and husband. James enjoyed supporting Stan at his sporting events, fishing and watching stock car races. Colorado was a favorite vacation spot for camping, exploring and spending time with his two wonderful grandchildren.
James was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Roberta Ruth Jones, Calvin G. Coker, Leon Alexander Coker, Thelma Lois Pierce, Mabel Marie Locklin, Dorothy June Hoover, Kenneth Eugene Coker and Larry Dale Coker. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary, of Oklahoma City; son, Stanley Coker (Theresa) of Louisville, CO; two grandchildren, Kelsey Coker of San Francisco, CA and Reed Coker of Norman, OK; and several nieces and nephews.
James was a kind and quiet spirit, often sacrificing so he could be generous to others. He will be dearly missed, but we are grateful that he is no longer trapped in the confusing world of dementia. In lieu of flowers, please make online gifts in memory of James Coker to the Dementia Society of America.
Viewing at Mercer-Adams will be Friday, April 4 from 9am-8pm. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, April 5 at Portland Ave Baptist Church, 1301 N Portland Ave, Oklahoma City, OK with Brother Walter Mullican officiating.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James, please visit our floral store.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Mercer-Adams Funeral Service

3925 North Asbury Avenue, Bethany, OK 73008

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