Charles James Coker

FORT WORTH -- Charles James Coker, a World War II veteran who served as a chief pharmacist's mate in the Navy, left to be with the Lord and his beloved wife, Rachel, on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015, at a hospital in Burleson. Charles was 94 years old.

Service: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Laurel Land Funeral Home in Fort Worth.

Mr. Coker was born in Whitt on Jan. 17, 1921, to Clarence James Coker and Mary Davis. He met Rachel McQueary in Perrin, where they attended school and church together. The couple was married June 24, 1943, while he was on leave from the Navy. They shared 70 years together before Rachel's passing in June 2014 just two days before their 71st anniversary.

Mr. Coker served in the Navy from January 1941 until December 1946. He was stationed at Guadalcanal and Okinawa.

Upon returning home from the war, Charles attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in pharmacy in 1948. He spent his career serving pharmacy customers until he retired in the early 1980s. He worked to maintain his license for many years after retirement. In retirement, he loved golf, calligraphy and, of course, rooting for the Texas Longhorns.

Survivors: Daughters, Debbie Beck and husband, Danny, of Como, Vicki Mills and husband, Jim, of Mansfield and Pamela Denny and husband, Kevin, of Fort Worth; grandchildren, Jennifer Borchardt and husband, Nathan, Paula Kent and husband, Cody, Caleb Beck, Casey Beck and Drew Mills; and great-grandchildren, Bruce Kent, Harley Kent, Olivia Borchardt and Aubrey Borchardt.