Irby Coker

Irby Gene "Butch" Coker, 71, died Saturday, Sept. 9 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Born Dec. 15, 1945, Irby grew up southeast of Little Rock, graduated from Fuller High School, joined the Army Reserves in 1966 and married in 1967. He served with the HHC 336th ORD BN Vn in Vietnam. After returning home in August 1969, he worked more than 30 years installing and repairing telephone systems in Arkansas. Irby was an avid deer hunter and fisherman. He is preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Geraldine "Jerri" Coker; his parents, Irby T. and Geneva Coker; his brothers Stephen, Ray, Jerry, Teddy and Ronnie. Irby is survived by his daughter Lisa and her husband John Ray of Hensley; his son Greg and his wife Andrea Coker of Hensley; his daughter Leigh Anne and her husband Kevin Braswell, of Cookeville, Tenn. He is also survived by his grandchildren Ashleigh and Jacob Ray, Alden and Addalynn Coker, Morgan, Nathan, Nora and Evan Braswell. Irby's surviving siblings include John Coker, Robert Coker, Alice Glasgow, and Terry Coker. Irby's life will be celebrated Thursday at 1 p.m. at Grace Church East End, 24399 Hwy. 167 in Hensley. Graveside services will follow at Salem Cemetery in East End. Family will welcome visitors at Roller Drummond Funeral Home, 10900 I-30 in Little Rock, Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace Church, Building Fund.