87R7748 BK-D
 
  By: Price H.R. No. 916
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         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.