Local author signs movie deal

By Lynn Atkins

Posted: November 25, 2009 at 6 a.m.

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ROGERS — If the lobby of the downtown Rogers Arvest seems an unlikely place to finalize a movie deal, Jesse Coker is an unlikely movie maker.

On Friday, the 88-yearold World War II veteran signed the paperwork that constitutes the first step on a journey that may bring his autobiographical “My Unforgettable Memories of World War II” to the big screen.

Coker entered the army in July 1942, leaving behind his wife of six weeks, and a half-completed college education. The book tells the story of his three years in the Army, where he served in the South Pacific and earned a field promotion to second lieutenant.

The book is dedicated to a friend from home. On Dec. 11, 1944, Coker asked Lamar Hunter to cover for him in a foxhole: Hunter was killed. Coker has remained in touch with the daughter his friend never had the chance to meet.

When he got back to the states, he finished his college education and embarked on a career teaching at University of Arkansas at Monticello. He retired in 1989 and wrote his memoirs.

Since then Coker has paid for several printings of the books and then sold the copies at book signings, first in Monticello and later in the Rogers area. He donated all the money from the books to worthy causes, ranging from the Optimist Club to his church and cancer research.

Coker, who always wanted to see his book made into a movie, had a screen play written years ago, but the movie was never made. He still has the screenplay which is now just a souvenir, he said.

Then Rogers Realtor Russell Pennington stumbled on a copy of “My Unforgettable Memories of World War II” in a used book story in Little Rock. A self proclaimed military history buff, Pennington enjoyed the book, but never expected to meet the author. Then he saw a notice in the paper about a book signing in Pea Ridge and he went just to meet Coker.

Pennington, who is also involved in the Rogers Little Theater, had some connections in the movie business. When he heard Coker discuss his ambition to see his story on the big screen, he called Tom Pyron, a producer for Yellow Foot Print Film. Pyron liked the book, too.

Last week, Coker gave Pyron permission to develop a screenplay based on his book. Pyron already has an actor interested in playing the young Jesse Coker. The actor is Shane Taylor who was last seen in “Band of Brothers.”

“This is a first step,” Pyron said. He’ll keep looking for financial support for the project as he works on a new screenplay.

“I feel better about this,” Coker said. “I went through this before and they couldn’t get the money. But this time I think we have a better chance.” AREA NOTES

Food drive drop-off

The Northwest Arkansas Food Drive pickup days will be Mondays and Fridays through Dec. 23. The event is organized by Benton County Sheriff Keith Ferguson in cooperation with Marge Wolfe of the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank.

Drop-off locations in the area include:

• Marvin’s, 240 N. Curtis Ave., Pea Ridge.

• Oakview Animal Clinic, 14391 Dove Rd., Pea Ridge.

• Community First Bank, 198 Slack St., Pea Ridge.

• Pea Ridge Veterinary Clinic, 535 Lee Town Rd., Pea Ridge.

• Dollar General, 149 Harris Lane, Pea Ridge.

• Avoca One Stop, U.S. Hwy. 62 and Ark. Hwy. 72 in Avoca.

Community, Pages 3 on 11/25/2009

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