Linton Dawin Coke, Sr

Linton Dawin Coke Sr. was something like a legend. So much so, more than a few people thought he might live forever.

But on January 16, he passed away at 99-years-old, holding his son’s hand. Linton Sr. spent his final days in Lancaster, California under the exceptional care of his son Linton Jr. and his wife Glenda Coke.

Linton was extremely charismatic, believed in the goodness of people, and made friends everywhere he went. He was devoted to God’s word and believed in striving for excellence in his work.

Linton Dawin Coke Sr. was born in Trelawny, Jamaica, on January 1, 1919, to Josiah and Jane Coke. Linton worked in his father’s fields cutting sugar cane before deciding to move to Kingston, Jamaica for better opportunities. He eventually found a job working as a waiter at the famous Glass Bucket Club. In Kingston, he met and married the late Leanora C. Johnson in 1945. Linton fathered ten children. During his early adulthood, Linton lived and worked in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba before immigrating to Indianapolis, Indiana. After years of domestic work, he saved up enough money to buy his own truck and began working as an independent driver. Linton worked for many years as a member of the Trucker’s Union before he retired in his seventies.

After his retirement, Linton devoted his time to visiting his family across the world and assisting other senior citizens by transporting them to doctor visits, grooming services, to the grocery store, or to church services. In recognition of his efforts, Linton was profiled in the Indianapolis Star.

Linton was committed to his church, Capitol City Seventh-Day Adventist Church, and bragged about rarely missing a Sabbath service. Linton was a lover of nature. He was a skilled gardener and consistently reaped plentiful harvests. He also loved trees. He’d often remark on their beauty, strength and, movement. He planted several trees throughout Indianapolis.

Linton was very competitive and spent hours playing dominoes, determined to win.

Linton shared a special relationship with his grandchildren, whom they called Big Daddy. He frequently organized outings that he dubbed “rendezvous,” (often at Golden Corral), playing dominoes, cooking for them, or just offering words of advice.

Linton lived a long, rich, full, and blessed life. His legacy of hard work, kindness, service, and deference to the Lord will live on in all he touched.

Linton is survived by his three siblings, Zechariah Coke, Priscilla Newman, and Mary Walters; ten children Delroy Coke, Elaine Mcleod-Ferdinand, Earl Coke, Marva Redman, Errol Coke, Linton Coke Jr., Carol Wells, Pauline Johnson, Lavada Thaniel, and Eric Coke; twenty-eight grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.