Paul Coker was born January 16, 1930, in Lakeland, Florida to Carmon and Louise Braddock Coker, who were descendants of the Florida pioneering families living in the state since the first half of the nineteenth century.

Paul was age 92 when he passed on February 23, 2022. He spent his working career in public service with The Army Corps of Engineers, The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), The Ballistic Missile Defense Systems Command, and The Department of Energy, where he was the Director of the Office of Project Management at the Operations Office in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

In 1985 Paul and his wife Odie retired and then in 1988 moved to Port Charlotte to be near their family members.

Paul was an automobile enthusiast who built and rebuilt many cars, specializing in E-Type Jaguars and other sports cars.  He loved singing and was a member of concert choirs including the Knoxville Choral Society, the University of Tennessee Summer Chorus, The Liberty Singers, and the Charlotte Chorale.

He was also passionate about studying and teaching the Bible. He was a member of the Port Charlotte United Methodist Church where he served as a bible study leader and a member of the choir. His bible studies led him into a close relationship with the local Jewish community at Temple Shalom, where he studied Hebrew with Rabbis Kaplan and Ballon.

He is survived by his son Richard (Rhonda) Coker of Alabama, daughter Robin K. Coker of Port Charlotte, Floridan and seven grandchildren, Paul, Lucas, Melissa, Jake, Julie, Rebecca, and Lensey of Alabama.

Paul was preceded in death by his loving wife of 70 years, Mary Odelle Langford Coker (Odie), and his son Carmon Paul Coker, Jr.

A Celebration of Life will be at a later date at the United Methodist Church in Port Charlotte, located at 21075 Quesada Ave., Port Charlotte, Florida 33952.

Online Condolences can be made at pongerkaysgrady.com

Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Homes, Arcadia are in charge of the arrangements.