Dr. Hoke Coon

Dr. D. Hoke Coon Jr. passed away Wednesday, April 11, 2007. A memorial service will be at 4 p.m. Sunday at First Baptist Church, West Third Avenue, Lexington, by the Rev. Tommy Wilson and Dr. David B. Smith. Dr. Coon was minister at First Baptist Church from 1962 to 1989. After graduating from high school in Bessemer City he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949 from Catawba College in Salisbury. In 1952, he received the Master of Divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. He earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest in 1978. Dr. Coon completed additional studies at Princeton and Union Seminary, N.Y. He was a participant in the resident pastor's program at Union Seminary and the clinical pastoral education program at North Carolina Baptist Hospital, Winston-Salem. He served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1945-1946. In 1949, he married the sweetest of spirits, Cherry C. Cabell of Salisbury. Dr. Coon served as associate and interim pastor at First Baptist Church, Salisbury, from 1952 through 1953. He served as pastor, First Baptist Church, Southern Pines, from 1953 to 1957 and pastor of First Baptist Church, Forest City, from 1957 to 1962. He served as minister of First Baptist Church, Lexington, from 1962 until his retirement in 1989, when he was named pastor emeritus. Since retirement, Dr. Coon had served the following churches in an interim capacity: Emerywood Baptist Church, High Point; First Baptist Church, Hickory; Reeds Baptist Church, Lexington; First Baptist Church, Salisbury; First Baptist Church, High Point; First Baptist Church, Yadkinville; and First Baptist Church, Clemmons. He was a director for the Biblical Recorder; trustee, Mars Hill College; trustee, North Carolina Baptist Hospital; board of advisors, Campbell College; board of associates, Gardner-Webb College; and president, Council of Christian Life, Baptist State Convention, 1973-74, and member of executive committee, General Board, 1971-74. Dr. Coon was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Cherry Cabell Coon; his mother and father, Maudine Wilson Coon and David Hoke Coon Sr.; and a brother, James W. Coon. Surviving are a son, David H. Coon; a grandson, Grayson David Coon; a sister, Brenda Ann Coon of Bessemer City; a brother, Robert D. Coon and his wife, Judy, of Gastonia; and two sisters-in-law, Mary Catherine Coon of Charlotte and Gerry Spencer of Salisbury. A special thanks for the love and devotion of so many special friends. Thank you Jan Williams for your unconditional love and tireless care. Thank you Jane Golden of Lake Junaluska for your love and support. Thank you extended family Seth Williams, Nicole Williams, Carlee Segun, Cameron Anderson and faithful friend Snoopy. So much love - he will be missed. The family will receive friends following the service in the fellowship hall and other times at the home. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, West Third Avenue, Lexington, NC 27292.