Donnie Joshua Coker

The Daytona Beach News-Journal, 12/7/2008

Donnie Joshua Coker, 84, of Plantation Bay in Ormond Beach, passed away on December 3 from complications after major surgery. Don, a native Floridian born in Bradenton, attended the University of Florida and in 1949, became the first college graduate in his family.

He proudly served our Country in the Air Force and later became a top pitcher in the minor leagues, which included a brief period with the Atlanta Crackers.

Following his baseball career, he worked for many years as a sales executive with the Pillsbury Company. Don was a good, kind and decent man who was a great provider and always put his family first.

Although he loved to travel, play golf, and support "The Gators", some of his best times were spent with his wife, Bea, to whom he was a devoted husband of 65 years, and the rest of his family. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends who will forever cherish the wonderful memories they have of him.

Don is survived by his wife, Bea; daughter, Connie Panhans of Dallas, Texas; sons, Jerry (Sandra) Coker of Atlanta, Georgia, Don (Melinda) Coker of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to The Salvation Army, 1555 LPGA Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32117. Condolences may be shared with the family at

www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are under the careful direction of Lohman Funeral Home Daytona.