Gerald Richard Riley was born in Houma, Louisiana on October 1, 1939.  As a baby he was nicknamed ‘Coke’ because he drank his milk from a Coca-Cola bottle.  He developed a value for hard work as a child; pulling nails from planks to build homes with his father; shagging balls as a caddy on a segregated golf course; and serving regulars as a poolroom ‘runner’.  Although Coke couldn’t have foreseen it at the time, a seemingly insignificant job shining shoes for 15 cents in a ‘whites-only’ barbershop planted the seed of possibility. 

In 1957, an opportunity led Coke to Compton, California. He studied cosmetology at Allen’s Beauty College where his enthusiasm and discipline had an outlet and his creativity flourished. The 1950s was a decade before the "Black is Beautiful" movement and the talented Coke questioned the traditional notions of beauty.  He grew to seek a new purpose and re-envision the model for healthy and diverse black hairstyles.

Mr. Coke opened his first full-service salon in Compton and grew to expand to a second salon and stand-alone beauty supply in Inglewood, California.  Mr. Coke’s Incorporated ventured outside-the-box in terms of education, marketing and sponsorship.  He expanded his brand to produce The Coco Awards, trade shows, competitions and even sports & game tournaments.  His vision culminated in the engineering and invention of an essential professional tool, the Coco Styling Iron.

Coke shared his expertise as a lecturer at El Camino and Trade Tech Colleges and various schools throughout the Los Angeles area.  He joined the California Cosmetology Legislative and Educative Committee (CCLEC) where he attended various educational workshops, participated as a Board member and became the first public relations director.

From Bouffants to Afros, Press and Curl to Jhericurls, Relaxers to Natural Styles Mr. Coke was not one to rest on his accomplishments.  He sought a new challenge – one of his childhood dreams – to style for the stars in the film and television industry.  In 1991 Coke joined the Make-up Artists & Hair Stylist Guild Local 706 and would put his stamp on such shows as Roc, Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer, Moesha, and Baywatch. 

His feature credits include Amistad directed by Steven Spielberg, Missing Pieces with James Coburn, Showgirls, Forget Paris with Billy Crystal and Purgatory with Sam Shepard and Eric Roberts in which he received a 2009 nomination for Best Period Hair Styling – Television Miniseries or MOW at the First Annual Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards.

In 2018 he was inducted into the Finding our Roots Museum in Houma, Louisiana where an exhibit honors him for all of his accomplishments and contributions to the beauty industry.  To honor Mr. Coke's lifelong commitment to excellence and inclusivity, the family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Beyond the Combs Academy, a program dedicated to preparing aspiring artists, particularly those from BIPOC communities, for successful careers in the beauty and entertainment industries. Please visit www.beyondthecombs.academy or reach out to the owner, Rhonda O'Neal (310) 936-8754.

Coke summed it all up when he said, "Dreams are not found, they are made."