Home > United States of America > Montana > Rosebud County > Forsyth > Forsyth Cemetery > COL Larry Warren “Buzz” Coker

COL Larry Warren “Buzz” Coker

View larger map

1 / 3

2 / 3

3 / 3

❮ ❯

COL Larry Warren “Buzz” Coker

Birth	:	22 Mar 1952 Fort Benning, Chattahoochee County, Georgia, USA
Death	:	7 Jun 2017 Forsyth, Rosebud County, Montana, USA
Burial	:	Forsyth Cemetery, Forsyth, Rosebud County, USA
Coordinate	:	46.2689018, -106.6528015
Inscription	:	COL US ARMY FIELD ARTILLERY LOVING HUSBAND AND FATHER absent from the body present with the lord Second Corinthians 5:8 Parents of Sarah A. Amanda L. Charlotte E. Matthew R,
Description	:	Larry Warren Coker Jr. (Buz) passed away Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at the Rosebud Health Care Center after a courageous battle with brain tumors. Although it seems the cancer won, in reality Buz was the victor because he immediately stepped into Heaven with his Lord. Buz was born March 22, 1952, at Fort Benning, Georgia, minutes before his twin sister, Linda, to Larry Warren and Virginia (Ransom) Coker. They joined older sisters Jean and Sandra. Later twin brothers, David and Dennis, joined the family. In this loving, nurturing family, Buz’s character and values were formed... Read More	Larry Warren Coker Jr. (Buz) passed away Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at the Rosebud Health Care Center after a courageous battle with brain tumors. Although it seems the cancer won, in reality Buz was the victor because he immediately stepped into Heaven with his Lord. Buz was born March 22, 1952, at Fort Benning, Georgia, minutes before his twin sister, Linda, to Larry Warren and Virginia (Ransom) Coker. They joined older sisters Jean and Sandra. Later twin brothers, David and Dennis, joined the family. In this loving, nurturing family, Buz’s character and values were formed which helped him live a life of integrity, quality, and goodness. In May of 1974, Buz graduated from Trinity University, in San Antonio, Texas, receiving a regular Army commission through ROTC. August 16, 1975, Buz married Ellen Lee of Forsyth, Montana. He gave her a beautiful life for the next 41 years, as the honeymoon never ended. Buz and his family served 25 years in the Army. He was a Field Artillery Officer entering as a 2nd Lieutenant and retiring as a full Colonel. He commanded multiple batteries and culminated with commanding the 6-32 FA (MLRS) Battalion at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He considered it a dream command. He served in units of 155 and 105 howitzers, Pershing missiles, and the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). He was tagged early in his career for the nuclear capable systems which demanded zero mistakes. He was cool under pressure and stress just made him tenacious. Buz was a Cold War officer. He entered the service as Vietnam fell to Communism. He served with the Pershing missiles that broke the threat to Western Europe. He savored the demise of the Berlin Wall. His last duty station was Heidelberg, Germany, with that country reunited. How sweet it is. As much as “the mission” always came first, and Buz always got it done, his priorities were the soldiers and officers under his command. In the mess hall or in the field he ate last. He counseled, he mentored, he encouraged. He particularly focused on young families. He had a “talk” for the man getting married, another “talk” when a baby was due. He and Ellen offered Lamaze lessons in his units. He let others take leave first, even when his rank could give him privileges. Buz took Jesus as his Savior in March of 1986. His life changed. He became even more a servant in every facet of his life. He was a loving, influential father to his four children: Sarah Anne born at Ft Hood, Texas, Amanda Lee born in Heilbronn, West Germany, Charlotte Elizabeth born at Ft Campbell, Tennessee, and Matthew Robert born at Riverdale, Georgia. He nurtured and encouraged them to strive for excellence, to live with integrity, and to serve the Lord. He was the backbone of our home school. He would say to you, “My children are my credentials.” He was very proud of them. Upon retirement he chose to move his family to Montana and join the Lee Family ranching operation as the resident greenhorn. He embraced the western lifestyle. He was never happier than when he walked out fences or fed heifers until they would eat out of his hand. His well known sense of humor would surface often. He declared himself most proud of acquiring his PHD (post hole digger) and achieving the rank of “Rear Admiral” on the branding crew. Any job that needed doing, Buz would do. That applied to everything and every group he was involved with. He enjoyed the challenge of problem solving. He served however and wherever there was a need in our faith communities over the years. He was an active, faithful member of First Baptist Church of Forsyth. He served as a Scoutmaster for a number of years and enjoyed mentoring boys into men. Also once in Montana, he got hooked on target shooting. He loved to reload, he loved every caliber for the different challenges they provided. His favorite was the buffalo rifle. He participated in 17 Quigley Matches and was the Quigley Director during his last years. Each match was a thrill for him and brought him joy. He placed third overall one year. He especially enjoyed shooting with his children and family friend, Nicole Schwend. Left to honor Buz and remember his love are his wife, Ellen; daughters: Sarah Anne (Darren) Hoffmann; Amanda Coker; and Charlotte Coker; son, Matthew (Shannon) Coker; grandchildren: Daniel, Sarah, and Matthew Hoffmann, and Susanna and Elanor Coker; father, Larry Warren (MaryAnn) Coker Sr.; sisters: Jean Gregg, Sandi (David) Molitoris, and Linda (Doyl) Gray; brothers, David Coker and Dennis (Elizabeth) Coker; 18 nieces and nephews; as well as aunts, uncles, and cousins. Buz was preceded to Heaven by his loving mother; grandparents; 2 aunts; 4 uncles; and 1 cousin. He also leaves behind many friends that he enjoyed. Buz would say to each of us, “Let’s meet again in glory.” Buz’s friends and family are invited to celebrate his life and his victory in Jesus at First Baptist Church, 1625 Cedar St, Forsyth. Viewing will be 2pm-6pm, Tuesday, June 20, 2017. A funeral service is set at the church at 10am, Wednesday, June 21, 2017, with a graveside service following in the Forsyth Cemetery. A luncheon will be provided at the church fellowship hall for further visiting. Flowers are wonderful, but if you would rather honor Buz with a memorial gift, his family suggests the Fisher House Foundation, that supports US military families worldwide, or the Rosebud Foundation, which is local and includes the medical facility that gave Buz excellent, compassionate care during his last weeks. In reality, your prayers for him over these last two years were the greatest gift. He and his family are very grateful. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home Notice 06/07/2017 Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home Obituary 06/15/2017

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is COL Larry Warren “Buzz” Coker's memorial?
COL Larry Warren “Buzz” Coker's memorial is located at: Forsyth Cemetery, Forsyth, Rosebud County, USA.
When did COL Larry Warren “Buzz” Coker death?
COL Larry Warren “Buzz” Coker death on 7 Jun 2017 in Forsyth, Rosebud County, Montana, USA
Where are the coordinates of the COL Larry Warren “Buzz” Coker's memorial?
Latitude: 46.2689018
Longitude: -106.6528015

Family Members:

Parent

Col Larry Warren Coker

(1921 - 2020)

Virginia Charlotte Ransom Coker

(1923 - 1987)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, Rosebud County, USA
Coordinate: 46.2689018, -106.6528015

2. Rosebud Cemetery
Rosebud, Rosebud County, USA
Coordinate: 46.2689018, -106.4381027

3. Howard Cemetery
Rosebud County, USA
Coordinate: 46.2621994, -106.9222031

4. Hathaway Cemetery
Rosebud County, USA
Coordinate: 46.2616997, -106.2185974

5. Colstrip Cemetery
Colstrip, Rosebud County, USA
Coordinate: 45.9096985, -106.6194000

6. Memorial Vale Cemetery
Hysham, Treasure County, USA
Coordinate: 46.2552986, -107.2307968

7. Bean Cemetery
Rosebud County, USA
Coordinate: 45.8535995, -106.4011002

8. Brown Cemetery
Colstrip, Rosebud County, USA
Coordinate: 45.8321991, -106.4180984

9. Lee Cemetery
Rosebud County, USA
Coordinate: 45.7792015, -106.5413971

10. Rancher Cemetery
Myers, Treasure County, USA
Coordinate: 46.2580986, -107.4197006

11. Fort Keogh Cemetery
Custer County, USA
Coordinate: 46.3800011, -105.8874969

12. Vanstel Cemetery
Rosebud County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7872009, -106.8942032

13. Calvary Cemetery
Miles City, Custer County, USA
Coordinate: 46.3816986, -105.8249969

14. Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Miles City, Custer County, USA
Coordinate: 46.3807564, -105.8246536

15. Old Calvary Cemetery
Miles City, Custer County, USA
Coordinate: 46.3807600, -105.8246500

16. Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Custer County, USA
Coordinate: 46.3891983, -105.8264008

17. Pine Hills School Cemetery
Miles City, Custer County, USA
Coordinate: 46.4077988, -105.8167038

18. Rock Springs Cemetery
Rock Springs, Rosebud County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7847800, -106.1411500

19. Pine Crest Cemetery
Custer County, USA
Coordinate: 46.4564018, -105.7789001

20. Junction City Cemetery
Yellowstone County, USA
Coordinate: 46.1437320, -107.5493300

21. Lame Deer Cemetery
Lame Deer, Rosebud County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6264000, -106.6619034

22. Custer Cemetery
Custer, Yellowstone County, USA
Coordinate: 46.1270690, -107.5700030

23. Muddy Creek Cemetery
Muddy, Big Horn County, USA
Coordinate: 45.5741997, -106.7406006

24. Saint Labre Cemetery
Ashland, Rosebud County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6070930, -106.2836910