Kim Coker

Kim Coker was born in Plainview, Texas on August 31, 1956, and he grew up in Turkey, Texas. He attended Turkey and Valley Schools and graduated from Valley High School in 1974, and from Texas Tech University in 1978 with a degree in Agriculture Economics.

He worked in the agricultural field for 35 years. He spent most of his career with Texas Liquid Fertilizer in Hempstead, Texas, and Ouachita Fertilizer in Monroe, Louisiana. At the time of his passing, he was employed with J. R. Simplot Company as Area Manager based in Hempstead. Kim took great pride in his work and the companies he managed and strived to create a rewarding work environment for his employees. He enjoyed all his colleagues and truly valued the friendships he made over the years with them and many long-time customers.

He was a member of the Board of Directors and Past-President of the Fluid Fertilizer Foundation, Board Member and Past-President of Texas Agricultural Industries Association, Organizing Chairman of the Texas Certified Crop Advisors Association, Executive Board Member of the Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Board, Board Member of the Southwestern Fertilizer Association, and was a member of the Brenham Evening Lions Club and various other civic and church organizations.

He took the time to mentor young people coming up in the agriculture industry, making a real and lasting contribution to his field, both through his service and his willingness to testify before state and national hearings when called as an expert witness. He was a consistent supporter of Texas Tech and was a lifetime Red Raider. He was a gifted athlete in his younger years and despite his lengthy illness, he loved playing golf with his daughter, Makenzie.

Kim Coker was a man of strong character who was absolutely true to his word. One illustration of his character and commitment was a time when his young daughter was to perform in a play at 9:00 am, but he was 5 hours away on business. He promised that he would attend, and he roused his boss at 4:00 am to make the drive home straight to his daughter’s school. When she greeted him after the play, she said, “I knew you’d be here!” And he always was.

He came to his love of agriculture honestly while growing up in Turkey. By age six, he was a young farmer. At that tender age, he drove a truck into a ditch while on the way to the field. Always a problem solver, he took care of “bidness” by walking to the house and getting the tractor, which he used to pull the truck out of the ditch. He went on to receive the American Farmer Degree, the highest degree presented by the National FFA organization. He continued to farm on weekends and during every summer while he attended Texas Tech. In his later years, he still loved to get on the tractor and take care of his 40 acres in Monroe, Louisiana.

Kim was so very proud of his daughter, Makenzie. Quite simply, she was the light in his eyes and the joy in his heart. Before she was born, he set a goal of living to see her graduate from high school and happily he was there to see that happen this past June. They were extremely close and she became quite adept at helping him manage his illness. He loved the young woman she grew to be and while he initially had some reservations about her taking off for Chicago in September, he felt nothing but confidence that she would be successful and go on to lead a productive, happy life.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Lisa Brimhall Coker, his daughter, Makenzie Coker of Brenham, Texas; his sister Brenda Coker of Sabinal, Texas; his sister Linda Hamilton and his nephews Zach and Josh Hamilton of Ruidoso, New Mexico; his mother- and father-in-law Doc and Lois Brimhall of Olton, Texas; two aunts, Estelle Lane of Turkey, Texas and Maurine Stevens of Farmington, New Mexico; and many other relatives, friends, and co-workers. He was preceded in death by his parents, U.F. and Ann Coker.

He was happy to return to Brenham in recent years, where he was warmly welcomed by many former and now current neighbors on Peachtree Drive. Special thanks are given to dear friends Wilfred Dietrich, Debbie Lehrmann, and Rick and Paula Buls and their children. His family would like to particularly thank Howard West, his co-worker of 31 years, who was a great colleague and good friend throughout those years.

A visitation will be held at Brenham Memorial Chapel on Thursday, August 29, 2013 from 5 to 7 pm. Interment services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in his name to Texas Ag Industries Association (TAIA) Scholarship Fund, 145 W. Travis, LaGrange, TX 78945.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979.836.3611 Condolences may be sent to www.brenhammemorialchapel.com