More detail on this person: Paul "Gary" Coke, 80, of Browns Summit, passed away on May 21, 2026, at Alamance Regional Medical Center following a period of illness. Gary was born in Juneau, Alaska, on May 30, 1945, the son of the late Paul Coke and Kathleen Petrich Coke. From the beginning, Gary lived a life marked by courage, intelligence, adventure, service, and a remarkable ability to connect with people wherever life carried him. Gary proudly served his country as a Captain and helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. His bravery and sacrifice were forever marked by the Purple Heart he earned after being shot down while serving. He carried the strength, discipline, and pride of his military service throughout his life and remained a proud United States Army Veteran and member of the VFW. Following his military service, Gary continued to pursue excellence with the same determination that defined him in uniform. He furthered his education, eventually earning his Doctorate degree, and built an impressive career in aviation. He worked for Sperry Flight Systems and while he was working for them, he tested some of Sperry's systems for the Navy, serving as a test pilot at the renowned Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland. His love of aviation led him through many professional opportunities with various companies, and he later owned and operated his own fixed base operation at the Toledo Airport in Ohio. Gary was not a man who lived a small life. He was a visionary, an entrepreneur, and a man who was never afraid to take on the next challenge. In addition to the many businesses he owned and operated, he and his beloved wife, Bonnie, ran a consulting company that helped bring American companies to China to bid on projects connected to the development of Olympic infrastructure. Together, Gary and Bonnie shared a life full of movement, ambition, creativity, and adventure. When Bonnie pursued her music recording career, Gary moved with her to Nashville, supporting her dreams with love and devotion. While there, Gary's own entertaining spirit found a stage as he played music in a local Holiday Inn lounge, bringing joy to guests and strangers alike. That was Gary. Wherever he went, he found a way to make people smile. Gary was outgoing, quick-witted, and blessed with a sense of humor that could light up a room. He loved people and had a genuine heart for serving and helping others. He was an avid reader, a talented cook, and a skilled woodworker. He also had a special eye for beauty, especially when it came to organizing and designing flowers at the various homes he and Bonnie shared over the years. To know Gary was to know a man of many talents, many stories, and a generous heart. He was brave enough to fly into danger, intelligent enough to build and lead, humble enough to serve, and warm enough to make everyone around him feel welcomed. His life was full of accomplishments, but his greatest legacy will be the laughter he shared, the people he helped, the country he served, and the love he gave so freely. He is survived by his wife of 50 years Bonnie Murphy Coke; his stepson Richard Edwards; his step-grandchildren, Ben Turner (Daisha) and Bryan Turner; and numerous other family and friends. A celebration of Gary's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026, at Omega Funeral Service & Crematory Chapel, with Pastor Scott Reavis officiating. Full military honors will follow the service at the funeral home. The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m. prior to the service. Allen G. Warner, CW4 USA Retired, Class66-15
This information was last updated 07/03/2026
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Date posted on this site: 10/11/2026
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