James C. Coker, 71

James C. Coker, age 71 of Poplar Hill, Va. and formerly of Pulaski, died Thursday evening October 16, 2008 at his residence. He was born October 29, 1936 in Macon County, Tenn. and was the son of the late Sadie Bell Templeton Coker Knight and Jesse Evans Coker. During his teenage years Jim attended the Providence Baptist Church in Tenn.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, was very active in the Jaycee’s where he served as the State Vice-President, and was active in the Toastmasters Club, and loved square dancing and was a member of the New River Valley Squares. Jim first came to Giles County as an engineer for Celanese. He was later employed for 17 years by the Radford Army Ammunition Plant. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by; brothers, George and Carl Coker, half brother, Willie “Bill” West Coker, half sister, Lillie Mai Coker. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Jo Jean Coker of Poplar Hill: five sons; Mark Coker and his wife Deborah of Roanoke, Kevin Coker of Salem, Barry Coker and his wife Linda of Colorado Springs, Col., and Troy Coker and his wife Jackie of Appomattox, Larry Manning of Woodbridge: two daughters; Ramona Longbottom and her husband Doug of Oxford, Ga., and Annette Lyle and her husband Joe of Blacksburg: a sister; Mildred Brown of Bethpage, Tenn.  Also survived by nine grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Sunday October 19, 2008 at 2 p.m. at Thomas M. Seagle & Sons with the Rev. Johnny Howlett officiating. Interment was at 12 noon Central Standard Time Monday in the Eulia Cemetery in Westmoreland, Tenn. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of donations to the American Kidney Fund Executive Blvd. Suite 1010 Rockville, MD 20852, or to the Pulaski County Humane Society P.O. Box 1046 Dublin, VA 24084.  Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.seaglefuneralhome.com.