Eric Lynn Lokey a devoted husband, son, father, Papa, uncle, friend, and Coach passed away on December 20, 2021, at his home in Mabank, Texas. Eric was born in Greenville, Texas on November 16, 1965. He committed his life to following Jesus, loving his wife and sons every day, and developing young men as a football coach and administrator. As an athlete, Eric was named a Walter Camp and Kodak All-American and was inducted into the Stephen F. Austin State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010 for his efforts as a middle linebacker for the Lumberjacks. He met his wife Debi at SFA Freshmen Orientation and the two were married on May 5, 1985 in McKinney, Texas.
Eric began his coaching career in 1988, with stints in Plano, Rockwall, Mabank, McKinney, Princeton, and Denton Ryan. Eric had the pleasure of coaching his three sons as Ryan Raiders and helped coach the Raiders to the class 4A State Championship in 2002. Eric fulfilled a career goal of coaching college football at his alma mater, Stephen F. Austin. After a year at SFA, Eric returned to Denton Ryan to finish his coaching career. Eric retired in 2019, as the Assistant Athletic Director for Denton Independent School District. In retirement, Eric founded Lokey Developments as a family business focused on real estate in the Cedar Creek Lake community that they call home. His favorite activities included spending time with his grandkids telling BigFoot stories, trolling for sand bass on his pontoon boat, watching the Dallas Cowboys with family, and enjoying sunsets with Debi.
Eric is survived by his wife of 36-years, Debi Williams Lokey; sons, Derek Lokey and wife, Charlie, Tyler Lokey, and Taylor Lokey and wife, Paige; parents, Caroll and Mary Jane Lokey; grandsons, Logan, Lawson, and Landon Lokey; granddaughters, Hattie Jane and Sutton Lynn Lokey; brothers, Jason Lokey and wife, Laura, and Kelly Lokey and wife, Haley; brothers-in-law, Randy Williams and wife, Debbie, Gary Williams and wife, Pam; sisters-in-law, Tina Williams and Jeanne Olsen; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Eric was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Frank Signel Williams, and mother-in-law, Delores “Ann'' Williams.
The family would like to thank Dr. Paul Corn and his team at MD Anderson for the attention, care, prayer, and fight they gave the Lokey family for 9 years.
A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, December 23, 2021 at High Pointe Church of Christ, 3201 North US 75-Central Expy 1000, McKinney, Texas,75071. A visitation will be held 12:00 p.m. at the church.