Colonel Larry Warren “Papa” COKER

1921 - 2020  (99 years)

• Name	Larry Warren “Papa” COKER  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
  Prefix	Colonel
  Birth	19 Apr 1921	Turbeville, Clarendon County, South Carolina   [4]
  Gender	Male
  HIST	I hope that this Larry and his wife Mary Ann are the correct Larry Warren Coker and Mary Ann- of Turbeville, South Carolina- jkh LARRY WARREN COKER Posted Wednesday, July 8, 2020 6:00 am Col. Larry "Papa" Warren Coker passed away on Monday, July 6, 2020, at home. Left to honor Larry and remember his love are his wife, Mary Ann; daughters, Jean Gregg, Sandi (David) Molitoris, Linda (Doyl) Gray, Ellen Coker and Corrie (Tyson) Mims; sons, David Coker, Dennis (Elizabeth) Coker, Stanley (Pam) Coker and Jamie Coker; sister, Laura Jane (Lolly) Thigpen; brother, Clarence (Butch) Epps Coker Jr.; sister-in-law, Margaret Ransom Ball; 27 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. He was preceded to heaven by one son, Col. Larry "Buz" W. Coker Jr. Larry's friends and family are invited to celebrate his life and his victory in Jesus in an outdoor ceremony at 11 a.m. Thursday at Pine Grove United Methodist Church, Turbeville. Flowers are wonderful, but we ask that you follow his example and make a memorial gift to a charity of your choice and invest in your community, as Papa did his. Acknowledgements and cards can be sent to MaryAnn Coker, P.O. Box 66, Turbeville, SC 29162. If you don't have a favorite, you may want to consider a gift to Pine Grove United Methodist Church or Horse Branch Free Will Baptist Church in Turbeville. Arrangements have been entrusted to Floyd Funeral Home, 136 E. Main St., Olanta, SC 29114, (843) 396-4470, www.floydfuneral.com. Colonel Larry Warren Coker Colonel Larry Warren Coker (Papa) passed away Monday, July 6, 2020, at home. Larry was born on April 19, 1921, on the hill of Puddin Swamp, South Carolina, to Clarence Epps and Laura Jane Dennis Coker. He was the second of six children joining Gerald Ray Coker and later Homer, Laura Jane Dennis (Lolly), Donald, and Clarence Jr. (Butch). Larry grew up on a farm and in a family community where he learned the values that would give him such a rich life.In his youth, there was no indoor plumbing, no electricity, no radio or television. Life was based on the farm's needs for each of the seasons. Sunday nights were the time for Bible stories in front of the fire. There, he learned of Jesus' ministry, the Ten Commandments, and of Jesus' sacrifice for our sin. Larry first accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior during a revival at 12 years of age. He rededicated his life "by restating my faith and hope in Him" at a Chapel service on June 21, 1942. He was given a card of his rededication that he carried in his wallet for the next 78 years.Larry graduated from Clemson University in May, 1942, receiving a Bachelor of Science in General Science and was commissioned in the United States Army. The next month he reported for duty at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, which began an Army Career that would span 35 years and World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War. When Larry entered the Army, he held a Reserve Commission in the Infantry and in 1958 received a Regular Army Commission in the Medical Service Corps. Throughout his career, he excelled with any assignment given him. After attending the Infantry Officer Basic Course, he was asked to be an instructor. Deployed to the Philippines in World War II, he was assigned as a Company Commander in the 28th Replacement Depot and two years later would be the Depot Commander. Later in his career he was an instructor at the Medical Field Service School, served as the Executive Officer of the 44th. Medical Brigade in Vietnam, and as Chief of Staff of the 7th Medical Command in Europe.Larry was also a gifted educator and during a break in service after World War II taught High School in Sumter, South Carolina, where he also coached baseball, and served as Assistant Principal. He pursued his education throughout his life and received a Master of Education from Texas Christian University in 1951 and a Doctor of Philosophy from Texas A&M University in 1979.He married Virginia Charlotte Ransom on July 18, 1946, in Fort Worth Texas. They shared a beautiful life for the next 41 years, until Virginia passed from cancer. Larry and Virginia have six children: Jean Ransom, Sandra Lynn, twins Larry Warren Coker, Jr., and Linda Clare, and twins David Allen and Dennis Earl.Larry was blessed to find love again and married MaryAnn Coker on July 7, 1990. With that marriage he welcomed three more children to the family: Stanley, Jamie and Corrie. Together, Larry and MaryAnn enriched not only their lives, but their combined families, churches and community. Left to honor Larry, and remember his love are his wife, MaryAnn; daughters: Jean Gregg; Sandi (David) Molitoris; Linda (Doyl) Gray; Ellen Coker; Corrie (Tyson) Mims; sons David Coker; Dennis (Elizabeth) Coker; Stanley (Pam) Coker; and Jamie Coker; sister Laura Jane (Lolly) Thigpen; brother Clarence (Butch) Epps Coker, Jr.; sister-in-law Margaret Ransom Ball; 27 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren. He is preceded to Heaven by one son, Colonel Larry (Buz) W. Coker, Jr.Larry's friends and family are invited to celebrate his life and his victory in Jesus in an outdoor ceremony 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 9, at Pine Grove United Methodist Church, Turbeville, South Carolina.Flowers are wonderful, but we ask that you follow his example and make a memorial gift to a charity of your choice and invest in your community, as Papa did his. Acknowledgements and cards can be sent to Mrs. MaryAnn Coker, PO Box 66, Turbeville, SC 29162. If you don't have a favorite, you may want to consider a gift to Pine Grove United Methodist Church or Horse Branch Free Will Baptist Church in Turbeville, SC.One final thought: Larry said that "God has been kind to me through all these times and years and He has provided guidance, inspiration, needs, energy and good health. To Him be the Glory!"Arrangements have been entrusted to Floyd Funeral Home, 136 E. Main St., Olanta, SC 29114. 843-396-4470 www.floydfuneral.com Larry Warren Coker April 19, 1921 - July 6, 2020 Posted Friday, July 10, 2020 6:00 am By SHARRON HALEY Clarendon contributor TURBEVILLE - A true Southern gentleman, American hero, Clarendon County ambassador and a man of devout faith who loved God, his family and friends, his town, community and country passed away June 6 at the age of 99. Retired Col. Larry Warren Coker, a native of the Turbeville area, was born "on the hill of Puddin Swamp." The second of six children, Coker grew up on a farm. His family and community instilled in the youngster values that he carried with him for almost a century. "Col. Larry was the epitome of a Southern gentleman," said Marie Hardy Dukes in an online tribute to Coker. "He loved God, his family, and his country! Turbeville will truly miss his contributions to the community." Coker grew up during a time that youngsters today could not comprehend. Coker's family, friends and neighbors had no indoor plumbing. There was no electricity. His life centered around family and farming. Coker's devout faith began at the age of 12 when he attended a local revival. In 1942, he rededicated his faith and was given a rededication card that he carried in his wallet for almost eight decades. A 1942 graduate of Clemson University, Coker earned a Bachelor of Science degree in General Science and was commissioned into the United States Army and spent the next 35 years serving his country in World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. "He was an exceptional man who made a great contribution to his nation through his military service," said the Rev. Wright Turbeville, a longtime friend of Coker's. "When he retired, he came home, and his impact to this small community was immeasurable. He made all the difference in the world." Along with his decorated military service, Coker was also an educator. He taught, coached and served as assistant principal in Sumter. In 1951, Coker earned a Master of Education degree from Texas Christian University, and in 1979, he earned a Doctor of Philosophy from Texas A&M University. In 2012, Coker was awarded the Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce's Ambassador of the Year award for his tireless devotion to his community and county. "They could not have selected a more deserving ambassador," Turbeville added. "They could not have chosen a better ambassador for Clarendon County." Turbeville said Coker's devotion to his church and Turbeville's faith community saw no bounds. "He loved his church," Turbeville shared. While remembrances of flowers are welcome, Coker's family asked that he be remembered through a memorial gift to a charity of choice with an investment in the community that he loved so dearly. Memorials or gifts can also be made to Pine Grove United Methodist Church or Horse Branch Free Will Baptist Church. In his obituary, Coker was quoted as saying, "God has been kind to me through all these times and years, and He has provided guidance, inspiration, needs, energy and good health. To Him be the glory!" Turbeville said Coker was a disciplined person who respected his elders immensely. "His dad, Mr. Clarendon Coker, bought his first Ford, one of the first cars anyone had in Turbeville, from Mr. Billy Plowden in New Zion," Turbeville said. "Larry and his younger brother, Homer, were riding in the back seat of the car, and Mr. Clarence had one of his workers in the front seat. They were going down a bumpy dirt road when Larry called out to his dad. He called him Father. Mr. Clarence told Larry that he was talking to Bub and to not interrupt. Larry called out 'Father' maybe three more times, and finally Mr. Clarence asked him what he wanted. Larry told his father that Homer had fallen out of the car."  [2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
  MILI	Is this the Larry W. Coker whom the following article is representing? jkh Veterans Day programs recall heavy price of freedom Retired Col. Larry Coker was the guest speaker at Laurence Manning Academy's Veteran's Day service on Nov. 12 View all 13 images in gallery. By SHARRON HALEY shaley@theitem.com MANNING - Laurence Manning Academy and the local American Legion Posts held Veteran's Day services on Nov. 12. "Words can not express our gratitude," said LMA Headmaster Dr. Spencer Jordan. "For the previous 235 years, we have been the greatest nation on earth, and that is because of the sacrifices so many men and women have made." Jordan listed three pillars of the United States that exist today. The first pillar represents the sacrifices, he said. "We have many of our veterans buried in cemeteries on foreign lands," he explained. "They never got to come home. They gave the utmost." The second pillar is freedom. "Not every country enjoys our freedom, Jordan said. "We just had elections. Not every county allows their people to vote freely and peacefully." The third pillar, he said, is dependent on the Lord Jesus Christ, "The world we have and live in today where we can speak freely and openly about Christ." Jordan said we have the freedoms the veterans so bravely fought for with their blood, tears and lives. "Let us not forget that freedom comes with a price," he added. "Thank you for what you have given to us as a nation. You are our role models. We salute you. Thank you for your sacrifices and for what you have meant to this great country." LMA's video tribute to veterans featured many local veterans during their time of service to the nation. The video ended with the New Testament verse John 15:13: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." The guest speaker for LMA's Veteran's Day service was retired Army Col. Larry W. Coker of Turbeville. Coker spoke, wearing the uniform that he wore 33 years ago when he retired from the Army. "It feels strange to be in the suit again," he said. Coker described to the students the days after he was drafted and his years in the Army. "I moved 38 times over the 40 years I spent in the Army," he said with a smile. "It was a good education." Throughout his four decades in the Army, Coker attended 10 different colleges. "I had a great opportunity, thanks to the Army and what they offered me," he said. Coker talked about the 3,000 veterans from the East Clarendon area who served from World War I though the present conflicts. "All veterans have given some," he said. "but, some have given all." The names of 14 East Clarendon veterans who died in service to their country are engraved on a memorial in Turbeville." Coker reminded the students always to remember and honor the veterans. "If you see a veteran, take the time to say thank you," he urged. "Thank you for serving. Thank you for what you have done for your country." Three hours later, many of the same veterans attended the Veterans Day Service at the Clarendon County Courthouse. The veterans, their family and friends gathered at the courthouse under gray, damp, heavy skies. As the Manning High School Color Guard began its march to present the colors, the bells of the First Baptist Church began tolling the 11th hour. One could have heard a pin drop as the church bell rang 11 times. After the presentation of the wreath and the Star Spangled Banner sung by Pam Stephens, Veteran Jack Mitchum with American Legion Post 68 took the podium. Mitchum talked about the "blood, sweat and tears" that were shed to build the solid foundation on which the United States was built. He also referred to a speech given by our nation's first president George Washington in which the Commander-in-Chief applauded the men who fought so bravely for their country. He spoke three words to end the program: "God bless America." Posted in Clarendon sun on Tuesday, November 20, 2012  [7]
  _UID	EDAD54EF331E4546ACDC16882ABE2006ED3C
  Death	6 Jul 2020	at home, (Sumter, Sumter County, South Carolina)
  Burial	Y  [4]
  	Floyd Funeral Home, 136 E. Main St., Olanta, South Carolina (843) 396-4470
  Person ID	I152388	Singleton and Related Families
  Last Modified	10 Jul 2020

  
  

  Father	Clarence Epps COKER, Sr.   d. Bef 11 Feb 2008
  Mother	Laura Jane DENNIS   d. Bef 11 Feb 2008
  _UID	48A1264D5EFB410A96CCCB0D0A261E820AA0
  _UID	48A1264D5EFB410A96CCCB0D0A261E820AA0
  Family ID	F148788	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Mary Ann ROBINSON
  _UID	3D16D8B7835D4DC1B2C4F41DB85D39FA9FBB
  _UID	3D16D8B7835D4DC1B2C4F41DB85D39FA9FBB
  Children	1. Jean COKER   2. Sandi COKER   3. Linda COKER   4. Ellen COKER   5. Corrine COKER   6. David COKER   7. Dennis COKER   8. Stanley COKER   9. Jamie COKER   10. Colonel Larry Warren “Buz” COKER, Jr.   d. Bef 6 Jul 2020
  Family ID	F104122	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	8 Jul 2020

  
  

• Sources

  [S5270] Catherine Hobby. [S10074] Gerald Ray Coker Sr. [S27467] Donald G. Coker. [S27834] Larry Warren Coker. [S27842] Larry Warren cocker - 1921-2020. [S27835] . [S18866] Veterans Day - programs recall heavy price of freedom.