John Wright Coker

Funeral services for John W. Coker will be held 10:00 am, Thursday, July 21, 2011 at the Chapman-Black Funeral Home Chapel with Greg Dawson officiating. Burial will follow in the Sinnett Cemetery under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home. John was born on September 13, 1935 in Muldrow, Oklahoma. He was the son of Charles and Alta (Mitchell) Coker. As a young man John grew up in Muldrow where he later graduated with the Class of 1953. During his time in school John was a active part of the basketball team and earned a scholarship to East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas. After three years John transferred to Northeastern State Teachers College at Tahlequah, Oklahoma where he graduated in 1957. John was united in marriage to Marilyn Almy in Keystone, Oklahoma on May 23, 1959. The couple established their initial home in Ralston. John later returned to further his education and obtained his Masterís Degree in Education from Oklahoma State University in 1964. He also obtained his Principals and Superintendentís Certificate from Oklahoma State University. John loved being around young adults. He taught and molded many during his 39 years of tenure in the Oklahoma Public Schools as a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent at Ralston, Sapulpa, Perry and Keifer, Oklahoma. Sports were one of Johnís favorite pastimes. He loved basketball and teaching the sport to kids. During the time John was in Ralston he took two teams to the State Tournament. John was also selected by his peer for many honors throughout his life. He was high school Student Council President, Sunday School Teacher of the year, President of the Perry Lions Club, Board of Director at Sahoma Lanes in Sapulpa as well as served on the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association for two terms. John was also an avid golfer. He enjoyed many outings at the Keystone Golf Course with Willie Cochran. He loved bowling with his very good friends at Sahoma Lanes. John and Marilyn loved taking trips. The couple has traveled to nearly every state including Alaska and Hawaii. Several of their most memorable times were the 18 day bus trip to Nova Scotia and two trips to Washington, D.C. John would also travel to great distances to see his favorite musician Ray Price. John and Marilyn also had weekly Pitch games with their dearest friends Nell and Willie. It was not unusual for John to win at all costs. Most of all in life John loved his family. He would often reflect on the times they had together and always looked forward to his grandson coming over in the afternoons to play the guitar. John loved to sing along with Chad as he picked out a tune. John was always ready to sing and enjoyed getting up with a band at any event giving his best effort to please the crowd. John Wright Coker passed from this life peacefully Saturday, July 16, 2011 at his home at the age of 75 years 10 months and 3 days. Survivors are his loving wife of Marilyn of the home, son John Brent Coker and his wife Cartha of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; daughter Page Jones and her husband Greg of Tulsa, Oklahoma, two sisters Neva Ford of Moore, Oklahoma, Opal Jackson of Muldrow, Oklahoma, one brother Homer Coker of Edmond, Oklahoma, five grandchildren Breigh Anna Coker, Carson Coker, Chad Coker, Ben Jones, Lane Jones,. He was preceded in death by father Charles Wesley Coker, mother Alta Coker (Mitchell), five brother Hugh, Charles, Jack, Frank, Sid Coker, two sisters Ruby King, Della Shackleford.