Mike Earl Coker

Michael Earl Coker went to be with his Heavenly Father in the early hours of Thursday July 2, 2015. Mike graduated in 1974 from Arkansas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Biology, minoring in botany. Within months of graduation, he was employed by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Mike's career spanned 34 years, eventually retiring as the Regional Wildlife Supervisor in Brinkley, where he supervised management practices on thousands of acres of public land in Eastern Arkansas. Mike loved his community. He served on the Clarendon School Board for six years and often remarked that one of the highlights of that service was presenting his son's high school diploma. Mike was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and member of Euclid Lodge 130 in Stuttgart. He was past master of Cache Lodge in Clarendon. In the 1990's, Mike had the honor of being appointed the position of District Deputy Grand Master of lodges in Eastern Arkansas, of which he held for two years. Mike loved the Lord. He became a member of Gideon's International, serving many years as secretary of the Brinkley Camp, where he participated in distributing the word of God. He was an active member of Clarendon First Baptist Church where he loved to sing in the choir and worshipped his Lord and Savior for over 30 years. Michael leaves his lovely wife Glenda Coker of Clarendon, and his parents, Thomas and Evelyn Coker of St. Charles. Mike's children survive him: his son Jereme Michael Coker and wife Sylvia of Portland, Ore.; Mike's daughter Misty Derrick and husband Chris of Conway. Mike has two brothers and one sister: his brother Darrell Coker and wife Natalie of Little Rock, his brother Paul Coker and wife Stacey of Mayflower, and his sister Cathy Palomo and husband David of San Antonio, Texas. Mike has one beautiful granddaughter, Madalyn M. Derrick, also of Conway. He leaves a host of great friends and a wonderful church family. Please provide any gifts, memorials, or love offerings to Gideon's International or Clarendon First Baptist Church. Mikes's wish is that gifts and offerings be used to continue spreading the wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ. Visitation will be held Sunday, July 5 at Bob Neal & Sons Funeral Home-Clarendon between the hours of 6 and 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Clarendon First Baptist Church Monday, July 6 at 2 p.m., followed by a graveside service at the Cedar Crest Cemetery in Dewitt. Obit/guestbook: /www.bobnealandsons.com.