John Edward Coker

John Edward Coker passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, loyalty, and deep connection to family, friends, and community on May 9th, 2026. He was 87 years old. He died just a few miles away from where he was born and raised just outside of Little Rock. John was the eldest of ten children, a role he carried with quiet strength and responsibility throughout his life.

Growing up on a farm, John learned the value of discipline early. Mornings were spent working the fields alongside his father and brothers before heading off to school. Even as a young man, he carried a strong sense of purpose - driving a school bus during his high school years at Central High to help pay for night classes, where he studied to become a bookkeeper.

John built a career in banking, dedicating more than 50 years to various institutions in Little Rock. Over the decades, he became a trusted presence and a familiar face - someone known not just for his work ethic, but for his relationships. If you knew John Coker, you were only one or two degrees away from knowing just about anyone in Arkansas.

Beyond his career, John cherished the friendships he built along the way. He shared a lifelong bond with his best friend, Bill Mathews, with whom he spent decades working, laughing, and enjoying many beverages and good times together.

John was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Norma Coker with whom he shared more than 50 years of marriage.

John is survived by his son, John Kevin Coker; his grandchildren, Rylie Jon and Jackson Alden Coker; and their mother, Stephanie Wilbern Coker; his sister, Alice Glasgow; his brothers, Robert and Terry Coker; his sister-in-law, Doris Jackson; and many extended family members and friends who will miss him dearly.

He will be remembered for his steady presence, his deep roots, and the way he brought people together. His life was a testament to commitment, to family, to work, and to the simple joys found in friendship and community. A remembrance service is expected in later June or July and will be shared via social media. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Humane Society are greatly appreciated https://warmhearts.org/memorial-gifts/.