Lori S. (Estep) Koker

Lori S. (Estep) Koker

    Lori S. (Estep) Koker, 59, of Kingston, passed away peacefully on April 24, 2024 at her residence surrounded by her loving family following a courageous two-year battle with cancer. She was born on October 30, 1964, in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of the late Lawrence and Elizabeth “Libby” (Hurt) Estep.

    Lori is survived by her loving husband, Allen Koker; beloved sons, Shane (Jess) Merriman and D.J. (Heather) Merriman; step-daughter, Kaylee Koker; grandchildren, Willow Merriman, Hadley Merriman, Carson Merriman, and Levi Merriman; mother-in-law, Carolyn Koker; countless volleyball players, assistant coaches, and supportive administration; and numerous other special family members and friends whom she cherished.

    Lori was a 1983 graduate of Chillicothe High School. She went on to work as a dispatcher for Ohio State Highway Patrol, a driver’s examiner for the Ohio State Highway Patrol and worked at Citizens National Bank. She also held numerous positions at local school districts until her retirement in 2018 including Westfall Local Schools (Monroe Elementary), Cafeteria Supervisor (Westfall Local Schools), Superintendent’s Secretary (Zane Trace Local Schools), Athletic Director’s Secretary (Southeastern High School), and Special Education Aid (Pickaway-Ross CTC).

    Lori was an accomplished and highly decorated high school volleyball coach who earned recognition in the OHSVCA Hall of Fame and Westfall Athletic Hall of Fame. She was the Westfall Head Volleyball Coach for 14 seasons (1997-2010) and during that time won 2 SVC Championships, 13 Sectional Championships, 11 District Championships, 3 Regional Championships and 3 State Final Four Appearances. She was also recognized as SVC Coach of the Year and District Coach of the Year during her time at Westfall. Lori went on to lead the Zane Trace Pioneers Volleyball Program as Head Coach for 6 seasons (2011-2016). She led the Pioneers to 1 SVC Championship, 5 Sectional Championships, and 1 District Championship, as well as, recognition as SVC and District Coach of the Year. In 2020, Lori became the Southeastern High School Head Volleyball Coach and lead the Panthers for 3 seasons (2020-2022) to 2 Sectional Championships and 1 District Runner-up. Lori’s coaching achievements also included having over 400 career wins and being the namesake of the Lori Koker Award, which is awarded annually to the best senior volleyball player in Pickaway County. 

    Shortly after her diagnosis, Lori founded the Pink Pack Tribe, a support group for cancer patients in the Ross County Area. Lori stated that she did not want it to be about the cancer, but to be about the fight. She demonstrated that through her immense bravery and determination to help and educate others through her journey. 

    Memorial services will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at the Zane Trace High School Gymnasium with Pastor Kim Graves officiating. The family will receive friends Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the school. Arrangements have been entrusted to the HILL FUNERAL HOME, Kingston. 

    In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pink Pack Tribe (C/O Southern Ohio Survivors: 32 South Paint St., Chillicothe, OH 45601); Westfall Volleyball Program (19463 Pherson Pike, Williamsport, OH 43164); Zane Trace Volleyball Program (946 St. Rt. 180, Chillicothe, OH 45601); Southeastern Volleyball Program (2003 Lancaster Road, Chillicothe, OH 45601); and Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research (Fund #: 646870) (14 E. 15th Ave, Columbus, OH 43201). Condolences can be made on Lori’s online guest registry at www.hillfhkingston.com.

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