A.J. Coe
Andrew Jackson Coe III, 86, died April 26, 2004, at his home in Marion.
Born June 8, 1917, in Collinsville, Texas, he was the son of Andrew and Grace (Tarr) Coe.
His father died when he was young and his mother and the young family moved north, first to Oklahoma then to Marion County. In 1927 the family moved to Marion
As a young man, he worked for Buckley Grocery Store. He graduated from Marion High School in 1936, and attended Kansas University for one year. He went to work for George Meyers Construction of El Dorado, helping in the construction of roads and airstrips.
He joined the U.S. Army during World War II, becoming a second lieutenant in the Pacific Theater. He was involved in recovery operations of Tokyo and Hiroshima. After the war, he returned to his job with Meyers Construction Company, managing crews in the Herington and Junction City areas.
On Oct. 28, 1948, he married Della Escobar in Herington. The couple lived in El Dorado but when an opportunity arose for A.J. to work with his step-father, George Beaston, in the plumbing business, the couple relocated to Marion.
He took over the plumbing business in 1956, and renamed it A.J. Coe Plumbing and Heating. He continued to operate the business until his retirement.
He was a member of Eastmoor United Methodist Church, where he and his wife served as Sunday school teachers and committee members. He also was on the finance pastor-parish administrative board and a member of the Harmony Sunday school class. He also spent a number of years as a lay speaker for the United Methodist Church.
Although not a flamboyant man, he was kind and helpful, serving the community as an EMT and as a member of Marion Fire Department.
He spent the past few years at home, cared for by his wife, Della.
Survivors include his wife, Della; three sons, Bruce of Casper, Wyo., George of Wichita, and James of Bel Aire; two daughters, Rebecca Cameron of Klamath Falls, Ore., and Catherine Patterson of Berryton; two brothers, Clyde Coe of Louisville, Ky., and Harry Gilson of Anchorage, Alaska; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Thursday at Eastmoor United Methodist Church with Pastor Robert Priest officiating.
The congregation sang, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." Anita Brookens served as organist.
Casket bearers were his children and grandchildren.
Burial was in Marion Cemetery with full military honors provided by Ecker-Fulkerson-Slifer VFW Post #6958.
A memorial fund has been established with Marion Public Library.
