Carl David Coker

Carl David Coker died peacefully in his sleep just two weeks shy of his 98th birthday, after a long and remarkable life devoted to art, teaching, and creative exploration.

Born in Greensboro, North Carolina, on February 8, 1928, Carl was the son of Charles Liggett Coker and Nina Brunson Coker. As such, he spent many of his formative years living with multiple families in his grandfather’s house due to the Great Depression. He had many fond memories of those years and told stories of the many fruit trees and muscadine vines growing on his grandparents’ property. At just 17 years old, too young to volunteer for service in World War II, he left home to attend the Art Students League in New York City, supporting himself while working as a mail clerk for McGraw Hill publishing company. His early independence and dedication to art would define the course of his life. In Carl’s words, “Painting, in particular, and art, in general, are explorations of ideas, colors, and forms. The most captivating aspect of painting, for me, is the evolution of the work itself, when the dialog between the painter and the painting reveals itself. The work then becomes the subject, and painting evolves itself into a finished work.”

At the close of World War II, Carl returned to South Carolina and volunteered for service in the Army/Air Force, where he served as a radio operator for the next three years. Following his military service, he pursued formal art education, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from the University of New Mexico in 1948 and a Master of Arts in Painting from UNM in 1955. While working toward his PhD in Studio Arts at Illinois State University, he also served as a doctoral teaching assistant.

Carl went on to enjoy a distinguished academic career, teaching painting, sculpture, drawing, and art history at Illinois State University, East Texas State University, New Mexico State University, and the University of Tulsa, from which he retired in 1989. In 1979, he was awarded a Fulbright Grant to teach at the Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes in Lima, Peru. His influence as an educator shaped many generations of artists.

Throughout his career, Carl received numerous grants, awards, and commissions for sculpture and painting, too many to count. To name a few, he was commissioned to create a monumental 34-foot stainless steel sculpture by Hines Industrial installed at Redman Plaza in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1983, he was granted summer fellowship at the Tamarind Institute; and he received many awards and prizes, including the Grand Prize, Best in Show, at the Annual Regional Art Exhibition at the El Paso Museum. Additional honors include the Oklahoma Annual at the Philbrook Art Museum."His work is represented in over 100 private and museum collections and was exhibited widely throughout the United States, Mexico, and South America. Carl lectured extensively and served as a juror for many art shows. He has appeared on television and radio programs and was the subject of numerous articles in magazines and newspapers. He was a member of the Mid America College Art Association, College Art Association, Asociacion Peruana de Artistas Plasticas, and the Fullbright Alumni Association. Carl is listed in the Who’s Who in American Education and Who’s Who in American Art.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Liggett and Nina Brunson Coker; his siblings, Carolyn Coker Siskind and Charlie Coker; his wife of 40 years, Sharon Bode Coker; his daughter, Blair Coker; and his son, David Coker (Laura).

He is survived by his son, John Schlegel; his daughter, Vanessa Chavez (Anthony); his grandson, Zachary Arrieta (Justine); his granddaughters, Miranda Coker, Sarah Coker, and Keri Rutledge (Russell); his great-granddaughters, Anastasia Arrieta and Janae Webb; his nieces Celia Coker Giles, Karen Coker, Julia Coker and Isabella Johansen; his great nieces Kristin Johnson, Ashlyn Giles, and great-great niece Lila Johnson; as well as many cherished “framily”.

Carl Coker will be remembered for his extraordinary artistic legacy, his devotion to teaching, and the deep impact he had on students, colleagues, friends, and family alike.

Carl was a warm, open, and tender presence to his family, friends, and the many dogs he had throughout his life; most recently his Sadie, who passed only a day before him. There was an ease in being with Carl that created a sense of kinship with people. From his warm, slightly Southern drawl and easy laugh to his affectionate manner and vivid tales of life’s adventures, Carl had a knack for welcoming people and making them feel deeply loved.

He delighted in the simple pleasures—a glass of red wine, a good Mexican meal and sitting on the front porch of his home in Carson listening to the howl of coyotes with a sky full of stars. He savored life's thrills, too - a suave dancer well into his nineties, Carl loved fast cars and explored the world, often taking the road less traveled to find the truest culture and people of a place.

Reflecting upon Carl's life inspires us to live and love more fully and richly ourselves. Rather than any sense of loss, his memory brings immense love and gratitude for sharing space with him.

A rosary and mass will be held at San Jose de Picacho Mission on February 21, 2026, starting at 4:30 p.m. A celebration of life and luncheon is scheduled for March 14, 2026. (Email for details ccmemorial28@gmail.com.) In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Mesilla Valley Hospice, Roadrunner Food Bank, or the Gospel Rescue Mission.