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Benjamin Leroy Coker

Posted 5/3/07

Benjamin Leroy 'Ben' Coker, 68 DOVER - Benjamin Leroy "Ben" Coker of Dover died Tuesday, May 1, 2007, in his home. He was 68. Mr. Coker was born Oct. 8, 1938, in Cheswold, son of the late John and …

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Benjamin Leroy Coker

Posted
Benjamin Leroy 'Ben' Coker, 68

DOVER - Benjamin Leroy "Ben" Coker of Dover died Tuesday, May 1, 2007, in his home. He was 68.

Mr. Coker was born Oct. 8, 1938, in Cheswold, son of the late John and Lillian (Durham) Coker.

He served in the National Guard, drove trucks and worked for Bolan Motors in Dover as a parts salesman, prior to becoming a horseman. He was a horseman for 30 years as an owner and mostly as a trainer driver. He drove at all the local tracks and trained in Dover. He was a member of the Delaware Standardbred Owners Association and the U.S. Trotter Association.

Mr. Coker enjoyed horse racing and playing cards, and was a Jeff Gordon NASCAR and a Philadelphia Phillies fan. Mostly he loved life and shooting the bull with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Donald Coker and Nelson Coker.

Mr. Coker is survived by his wife of 27 years, Sandra (Johnson) Coker of Dover; four sons, Ben "Lee" Coker and his friend Jenette of Vineland, N.J., Terry Coker and his wife Carol of Vineland, Jerry Coker and his wife Deborah of Millville, N.J., and Gene Johnson and his companion Tammy of Cheswold; his daughter, Daphne Baum and her husband Jeff of Boonsboro, Md.; four brothers, Eddie Coker and his wife Lorraine of Dover, Jackie Coker and his wife Helen of Felton, Steven Coker of Cheswold, and Ricky Coker and his wife Candy of Hartly; four sisters, Eleanor McKinney and her husband Vernon of Dover, Barbara Velez and her husband Mike of Harrington, Joanne Moore and her husband Jimmy of Gatesville, Texas, and Monica Coker and her friend Jan of Dover; eight grandchildren, Ben III, Amy, Brittany, Kayla, Jerry Jr., Jazmin, Jessica and Joshua; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Friday in Immanuel Union United Methodist Church, Main Street, Cheswold. Friends may call two hours prior. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Blood Bank of Delmarva, 100 Hygeia Drive, Newark, DE 19713; or the Greater Delaware Valley Division Delaware Chapter, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 100 W. 10th St., Suite 209, Wilmington, DE 19801.

Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed, at www.torbertfuneral.com.

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