Dr. Robert U. “Bob” Coker

Published 9:03 am Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Funeral services for Dr. Robert U. (Bob) Coker, 79, of Bainbridge, Ga., were held Monday, December 5, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Ivey Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Jerry Little, Rev. Steven Webb, and Rev. John Erthein officiating. Interment followed in Campbell County Memorial Gardens in Jacksboro, Tenn. Visitation was held following the service.

Dr. Coker died December 2, 2022, in Bainbridge, Georgia. He was born August 8, 1943, in Campbell County, Tenn., the son of Ulysses Boyd and Bernice Coker. He was a native resident of Jacksboro, Tenn., and a 1961 graduate of Jacksboro High School. In 1965, he received his Bachelors of Science in Sociology from Georgetown College in Kentucky. In 1971, he received his Masters of Science from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. From 1972 to 1974, he received his Ph.D. in Technical Education at the Community College Administration from Ohio State University. From 1965 to 1970, Dr. Coker taught social studies at Norris High School, Southside, Knoxville, Tenn., and Morris Town, Tenn. He was a research associate at the Bureau of Research at the University of Tennessee from 1973 to 1975. He was director of Technical Education at Bainbridge State College from 1975-2001.

Dr. Coker served on the boards of United Way, Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce, Research Development Council, Work Initiative Association, Chamber Ambassadors, the YMCA, Private Industry Council, Development Authority of Bainbridge and Decatur County, Technical Education System of Georgia, Governor’s State Advisory Council, and the American Cancer Association. He was Parent of the Year and President of the PTO at Hutto Middle School in 1985, a Rotary member, and Paul Harris fellow. He also held state licenses in real estate and auctioneering. Dr. Coker was a consultant to the Minister of Education in Saudi Arabia in 1980. He was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Bainbridge, Ga.

All who knew Bob knew where he stood on any issue and those who Bob was fortunate to work with could confidently rely on his strong support.

Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com.

Survivors include one daughter, Amanda Coker Glover and her husband Bob; two grandchildren, Cullen and Coker; a brother, David W. Coker of Orford, N.H.; a nephew, Keith Coker of Sarasota, Fla.; a niece, Lindsey Figueroa and her husband Edy; a great nephew, Sabastian; and a great niece, Roxana of Orford, N. H.

Dr. Coker was preceded in death by his parents, Ulysses and Bernice Coker, and Sister-in-law, Helene Hagly.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cancer Research, c/o Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 2625 Cumberland Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30334; Bainbridge-Decatur County Humane Society, 1350 Cox Avenue, Bainbridge, GA 39819; or The First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 7067, Bainbridge, GA 39818.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Willow Ridge, Gentiva Hospice, Natalie Rinehart, and Barbara Bucanon for their wonderful care.