Harold Coker is shown here with some of his favorite pre-1916 era cars at his residence in 2010.Harold Coker loved cars. He started what has become the world’s largest supplier of tires for collector cars, Coker Tire, in 1958. A collector himself, he bought and restored dozens of cars, about half of which have been honored with first prizes in Antique Automobile Club of America competitions, and several of which are the last few of their kind.
But more than that, he loved his family, said his son, current Coker Tire President Corky Coker.
Yesterday morning, Corky lost his father, and his mother, Lillian, lost her helpmate and dance partner of 61 years, said Corky.
Harold Corker — father of Corky, David and Christy; grandfather; retired business leader; and former Hamilton County commissioner — died early Sunday after an accidental fall on Saturday. He was 84.
“East Tennessee has lost one of its most prominent and impactful citizens with the passing of Harold Coker,” former U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp said in a release yesterday. “He contributed mightily to our community at every single stage of his very blessed life. He was an effective county commissioner, a respected businessman and a follower of Jesus.”