Jerome Curtis Coker

Jerome Curtis Coker Jr., aged 76 (but he stopped celebrating birthdays at age 70) passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones on January 25, 2019. He was born on May 17, 1942 in Marquez, Texas to Jerome Curtis (Boots) Coker Sr. and Lola Winstead Coker. He graduated from Odessa High School in 1961. He married the love of his life, Marita Anne Coker on November 20, 1965 after a chance meeting at Tommy's Drive In. He served 4 years and two trips in the Navy aboard the USS Grand Canyon in the Mediterranean as a pattern maker and was stationed in Newport, Rhode Island. He then went on to graduate with a degree in architecture in 1979 from UTA and was a contract engineer for Bell Telephone for 45 years. He used these artistic skills to draw his kids cool drawings among other things. He spent most of his life as an avid record collector, always hunting down his very own white whale, the ever elusive Beatles butcher cover. He loved music and was always quizzing his kids with music trivia. He lived life by his own rules and was never bogged down by social norms. He wore shorts to every event and never apologized. He loved a good burger and a good conversation whether it was with old friends or his family. He always had a good joke to tell and loved to laugh. His stories, selfless love, happy disposition, and infectious laughter will be greatly missed by those who were lucky enough to have known him. He is preceded in death by his father, Jerome Curtis Coker Sr., his brother Roger Dale Coker and sister Marilyn Jo Coker. He is survived by his mother, Lola Coker Kirkley, stepfather “Papa” John Kirkley; wife of 53 years Marita Coker; his children, Jenifer Harrell, Jason Coker and Monica Shupe, son in law Jason Shupe; his absolute pride and joy, his grandchildren, Nicholas Guldi, Natalie Harrell and Charlie Shupe and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. A memorial will be planned at a later date. Wade Family Funeral Home 817-274-9233