Charles W. Coker Sr. ’55

Charlie, a noted leader in business and community service in South Carolina, died June 27, 2024, at home in Hartsville, S.C. He followed his father as the head of Sonoco Products Co., a packaging firm that is South Carolina’s only Fortune 500 company; was inducted into the South Carolina Business Hall of Fame; held South Carolina’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto; and received the Silver Beaver Award for outstanding service to Scouting.

Charlie was born May 10, 1933, in Florence, S.C. He attended Woodberry Forest, where he participated in football, wrestling, and student government. At Princeton, he majored in history and was vice president of Cottage Club and the 21 Club. He was a Chapel deacon and won major numerals in freshman football and a letter in JV football. His senior-year roommates were Garrett Wall, Art Boyd, and Bill Glockner.

Charlie was a director of Bank of America, Sara Lee Corp., Hanes Brands, Springs Industries, and Carolina Power & Light (now Duke Power), and he was chairman of the board of Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina. He led fundraising efforts for the establishment of the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics. His personal motto, which was adopted as Sonoco’s motto, was: “People build businesses by doing the right thing.” Friends described Charlie as “a true Southern gentleman with a witty sense of humor.”

Charlie was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Joan Sasser Coker. He is survived by sons Charles Jr., Robert, and Thomas; daughters Ellen Baldwin, Carrie Haley, and Margaret Hungerford; 20 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.