Jack R. Coker, age 76, of Lavonia, passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at his home, while surrounded by his family.
Born August 26, 1942, in Tifton, he was the son of the late T. A. and Mildred (Scarborough) Gay. He was a graduate of the University of North Carolina. He was a veteran of the US Air Force, 1960-1966, where he served as Staff Sergeant at Thule Air Base in Greenland. He also received a Civil Law degree during his service. Jack retired from 1st Franklin Financial as a Senior Vice President and served his community for 52 years as a free and accepted Master Mason and a member of the Yaarab Temple in Atlanta, GA for Shriners International. Jack served as a former board member for the Lavonia Housing Authority and the Ty Cobb Regional Medical Center Authority Board. He was a member of the Hartwell First United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife: Lynn (Aldrich) Coker of the home; daughter & son-in-law: Michele & Jay Awbrey of Newnan; daughter: Debbye Grice of McDonough; granddaughters: Reese Bentley of Newnan, Jessi Grice of Orange Beach, AL and Chelsea Jones of Spanish Fort AL; great-grandchildren: Halle Mae Jones and Abel Jones of Spanish Fort, AL; siblings: Thomas Gay of Lavonia, Gail Webb of Pensacola, FL, and Elaine Minton of Pensacola, FL. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters: Jean Grimes and June Gay.
A celebration of Jack's life will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 25, 2019 at chapel of Strickland Funeral Home with Rev. Leon Carson and Rev. Bill Thomas officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday from 1:00 p.m. until the service. Jack was cremated in accordance with his request. Memorials may be made to Power of Hope, 817 Grogan Street, Lavonia, GA 30553 or Rutledge Center, Inc. 61 Hospital Road, Newnan, GA 30263.
Strickland Funeral Home of Lavonia is in charge of the arrangements. On-line condolences may be sent to the family at www.stricklandfh.com.