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, Oklahoma. 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 bailing hay for a penny a bail.

He graduated from Wanette High School in 1955 and moved to Oklahoma City where he began his career. 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.

James and Mary Ann Lawson were married on December 8, 1956 in Wanette, OK 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 visiting family.

James is 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.

He 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 www.DementiaSociety.org/donate.

A Celebration of Life will be held 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Portland Ave Baptist Church, 1301 N Portland Ave, Oklahoma City, OK with Brother Walter Mullican officiating. Interment will follow at the Wanette Cemetery.