Oakdale- Homegoing service for Marlin Coker, Sr., 53, of Oakdale, will be held on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at 11 o'clock a.m. at Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home of Oakdale. Rev. Jerry Odom and Rev. Shannon Buxton will officiate. Burial will follow in Hopewell Cemetery in Plainview.

Mr. Coker's family will receive visitors on Tuesday evening, July 11, 2023, from 5-10 p.m. Visitation will resume on Wednesday morning 8 a.m. until time of service. All arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home of Oakdale.

Marlin was a loving father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. As a young boy Marlin loved to play jokes on everyone. He loved telling stories and he also loved to laugh and smile. As an adult he was a carpenter by trade which was something he enjoyed doing very much. Five years ago, Marlin developed an illness. He was told by his doctor that there was no known cure. This news was devastating to him; however, he bravely faced his illness head on. Marlin chose never to sit in self-pity, he continued to work forward and continued to be the same loving and caring man that he always was. Even in his difficulties, he always took care of his mother, making sure that momma always watched her salt intake as well as preparing her home cooked meals even when it was hard for him to walk. If Marlin was with us today, he would say, "thank you" to his family for all the joyful memories and love. He would also say, "Please keep me in your hearts and know I will always have all of you in mine and I love you all". He was a proud organ donor and wanted his loss to help others. Marlin will be unconditionally loved and forever missed by all who knew and loved him.

Those left to cherish Marlin's memory include his mother, Mary Maddox of Oakdale; his father and stepmother, A.C. Coker and wife, Karen of Plainview; three sons, Matthew Coker and Marlin Coker, Jr.,  both of Oakdale and Ryan Coker of Okinawa, Japan; one daughter, Meagan Coker; one brother, Curtis Coker; three sisters, Jo Ann Stalsby and husband, Charles, Pam Doyle and husband, Keith and Jennifer Roberts, all of Oakdale; five grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Marlin is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Amos and Mary E. Strother Maricle; and his paternal grandparents, Wilburn, Sr. and May Odom Coker.

Condolences and words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.ardoinfuneralhome.com and on Facebook-Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Homes. In lieu of flowers, Marlin's family has requested that memorial contributions be made in his memory in care of his sister, Jo Ann Stalsby or his father, A.C. Coker.