John it has been a long time since I've seen you.  I have great memories of all the times spent with you.  You were once a great friend and you will be missed.
Rest in peace!
Karen Dorr

I worked with John Coker from 2000 to 2012 at Pasadena. John was the one who trained me on my first job. I was in his back pocket for 4 months learning the job. John realized I was new and had no experience. He did a great job explaining things to me so that I could understand and make the connections I needed to make in order to learn how things work. He did a great job of relating things to everyday items you deal with at home. I took that teaching style I learned from John and use it as a tool to help others learn and grow in their roles at our Cedar plant now. I have been in the training group for almost 5 years now. Whether he knew it or not, John gave me tools back then that make me successful today.
 
It seems like it was yesterday that John and I were out there dropping additives together, cleaning up the unit, and getting equipment ready for maintenance work. We had fun at work too. I remember several times hearing John say, “Can you believe they pay us for this?” He had a good time, made good friends, and enjoyed his work. He took pride in his job and shared things he found with others so that we could all get better at what we do. We had a good team in those days, and John was a huge part of that.
 
We all gave each other a hard time in good fun. Charles can probably tell you about the fancy bottle opener that John carried with him….. He could laugh at himself and enjoyed laughing with others as well. That was a great quality he had, he could always take things in stride and never be bothered. He knew it was all done out of love and respect. Not many have that quality.
 
For a while John had a string of occurrences in his life that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. He went through a divorce, lost his father and his sister. All of this happened within a few years. I could tell it was hard on him. He struggled but he managed to get through it. I can honestly say I never once heard that man say one negative thing about his ex-wife. He spoke good things about his ma

Dear Marissa,
   You don't know me, but I feel I've known you forever. Your dad was a special friend to myself and many others. John and I worked together for years.
  Sometimes on night shift we would sit and talk about not only our problems but the world's. One thing for sure when he talked about you, he was all smiles. Your dad was so proud of you. Don't ever forget it. He will be surely missed by myself and many others.

Sincerely
Larry Payne

Hi Marissa, I am Ron Christian, you don't know me but I knew your dad very well from working with him. When you work with someone  for over a decade, days and nights then you become more than friends, you become family. John talked about you often and with admiration,  I could tell he loved you very much. I think you are the only thing he loved more than his Harley Davidson lol, riding always calmed him down.  We talked on the phone  last month exchanging our aches, pains and Medicines like old family members do. I miss him alot as I know you do. May God bless my buddy and take care of him in his new home.

Worked with John many years at the plant. John had a voice that stood out from everyone else, and it made you want to listen. He knew the unit very well. John had quick wit about him and always made me laugh. John left all of us too soon and I surely will miss him. We will pray for his family and friends.

OBITUARY

John Preston Coker

September 20, 1966 – August 17, 2025

Pasadena Funeral Home

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