TITLE: In memory of Hutchinson County Sheriff Kirk Anthony Coker Sr.

SUMMARY: In memory of Hutchinson County Sheriff Kirk Anthony Coker Sr.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The life of an admired public servant drew to a close with the untimely passing of Hutchinson County Sheriff Kirk Anthony Coker Sr. on March 30, 2020, at the age of 57; and WHEREAS, Born in Conroe on October 20, 1962, to Malcom Ray and Maria Santoro Coker, Kirk Coker grew up with the companionship of four siblings, Allen, Bobby, Gordon, and Margie; he took his first job in law enforcement at the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office in 1985 and later obtained his jailer license; he went on to work for the Patton Village, Lone Star College, Spring ISD, and Roman Forest Police Departments and in Montgomery County Constable Precinct 1, before he made his way to Hutchinson County; along the way, he also acquired valuable experience during his time with the Skellytown City Marshal's Office and the Fritch and Stinnett Police Departments; and WHEREAS, Mr. Coker's 35-year career in law enforcement culminated with his election to the office of Hutchinson County sheriff in 2016; he devoted himself tirelessly to serving and protecting his fellow citizens, and he was held in the highest esteem by his community and his department; and WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Sheriff Coker enjoyed the love and support of his wife, the former Tonya Hester, whom he wed on March 15, 2011; his treasured family also included his children, Kirk, Kyle, Thom, Kristi, Hannah, and Alex, and his grandson, Mason; he was a man of faith and a dedicated churchgoer, and in his leisure time, he took pleasure in fishing, camping, cooking, riding his motorcycle, training dogs, and making music on his guitar; and WHEREAS, Kirk Coker touched the lives of countless people through his three and a half decades of exceptional public service, and he has left behind a legacy that will long be cherished; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Sheriff Kirk Anthony Coker Sr. and extend deepest condolences to the members of his family: to his wife, Tonya Coker; to his children, Kirk Anthony Coker Jr., Kyle Andrew Coker, Thom Crow and his wife, Christine, Kristi Coker, Hannah Coker, and Alex Coker; to his grandson, Mason Black; to his brothers, Allen Coker and his wife, Carla, and Bobby Dean Coker; to his parents-in-law, Jar Hester and Pat Hester; to his brothers-in-law, Vince Hester and his wife, Cyndee, Nate Hester, and Brentley Hester; and to his other relatives, his friends, and his brothers and sisters in blue; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Sheriff Coker. Price Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 916 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 8, 2021. Chief Clerk of the House