Koka Edward Booth Jr.

He was born on August 12, 1932 in Kenova, West Virginia to Koka Edward Booth Sr. and Susan Ann Booth and grew up with his four brothers, George Booth (Dot), JD Booth (Kathleen), Howard Booth (Magdeline) and Jack Booth (Margaret) and three sisters, Virginia Booth, Mary Booth and Betty Booth. He graduated from Kenova High School in 1950 and moved to Rocky Mount where he met his future wife, Blanche W. Booth, who he married in 1954. After marrying Blanche, he worked with his brother George at Camasco, before joining Aeroglide Corporation from 1956-1962. Koka returned to West Virginia and lived in the town of Huntington while working in the family coal business, Booth Coal Company, from 1962-1971. He later moved to Cary, NC where he rejoined Aeroglide Corporation from 1971-1993. He then worked for SAS Institute from 1993 until his retirement in 2007.

Koka loved the town of Cary and he always said “he was not from Cary but got here as quickly as he could.” He served on the Cary town council from 1977-1987 and was the town Mayor from 1987-1999. Koka’s visionary leadership helped Cary develop into a town where families could grow and thrive. In 2001, The town of Cary named the Koka Booth Amphitheater in his honor for his passion and dedication to his beloved town and for his love of music. Koka believed his life mission was community service and he fulfilled that mission with his service to the town of Cary and its residents.

Koka is survived by his wife of 68 years, Blanche; two sons, Chuck and wife Sally and Scott and wife Penni; one granddaughter, Kristie Childs (Taylor); and three grandsons, Charlie Booth (Lindsay), Bryan Booth (Melissa) and Justin Booth (Jennifer). He was blessed with seven great grandchildren, Kinley Childs, Hadley Childs, Mary Charles Booth, Sara Margaret Booth, Deacon Booth, Eden Booth and Brye Booth.

The family will receive friends from 12-2 p.m. on Friday, October 13, 2023 at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 SE Maynard Road, Cary, NC. A private memorial service will be held at another time.

The family would like to express our sincere thanks to all the caregivers, Dr. Martin Van Cleeff and all of the ProMedica Heartland Hospice of Raleigh staff, with special thanks to Jessica Del Canto. The Booth family is forever grateful to the loving and loyal caregivers who looked after Koka later in his life, Brenda Utley Davis, Kathleen Demarcus, Shirley Robinson, Brenda Dunston, Donna Ware, and Janice McCants. It could not have been done without your unfailing kindness and loving care. We would also like to thank the neighbors of Kelso Court who have generously provided food and support during Koka’s illness.

He was an ardent supporter of the Cary High School Band and he was Band Booster President for many years and traveled proudly on lots of band trips. With that, it is only fitting that in lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions may be made to The Cary Band Booster Club, PO Box 91, Cary, NC 27512. Please indicate Koka Booth Memorial on the memo line.

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