David Jackson Coker

David "Big Daddy" Jackson Coker, Jr., age 83 of Gainesville, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2014 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center following a brief illness.


Funeral services are scheduled for Sunday, January 19, 2014 at 2:00 pm in the Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home with interment to follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Dr. Tom Smiley, Reverend Earl Pirkle and Reverend Tyler Smiley will officiate. The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 18, 2014 from 5 - 8 pm at the funeral home.


Mr. Coker was born August 20, 1930 in Gainesville, Georgia to the late David Jackson Coker, Sr. and Oma Smith Coker. Big Daddy grew up in New Holland community and was a lifelong resident of Hall County. He graduated from Airline High School and proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he received the Combat Infantry Badge, Korean SVC Medal with a Bronze Service Star and the United Nations Service Medal. Big Daddy was an active charter member of the local Korean War Veterans Association. He was a retired Captain from the Gainesville Fire Department with 26 years of service and was also the original owner/operator of "The Coffee Shop" in Lawrence Pharmacy for 25 years. He was a member of Lakewood Baptist Church. In retirement years he loved attending sporting events and all activities that involved his grandchildren.


Mr. Coker is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara Peck Coker of Gainesville, daughter & son-in-law, Judy & Darwin Allison of Gainesville, son & daughter-in-law, David Jackson III & Mamie Coker of Gainesville, grandchildren, Jack Darwin "Trey" Allison, III, Sarah Allison & Jason Nelms, A. J. Allison, Catie Coker & Tyler Smiley, Caroline Coker & Ryan Vincent and David Jackson Coker, IV and great-grandchildren, Jack Darwin Allison, IV and Andrew James Smiley. A special thank you to his caregiver, Daleyann Tendell.


In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Lakewood Baptist Church, 2235 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 or Central Baptist Church, 785 Main Street, Gainesville, Georgia 30501.



Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA 30504 is in charge of arrangements.



Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.