Raymond Jodie Coe Jr.

Raymond Jodie Coe Jr. passed away of a stroke at his residence in Marble Falls, Texas on February 9, 2024 at the age of 82 surrounded by his loved ones. He was preceded in death by his wife Donna Cecilia, his father Raymond J. Coe Sr. and his mother Thelma Coe. Born December 30, 1941 to Raymond J. Sr. and Thelma Coe in Austin, Texas, Ray’s childhood was spent in Marble Falls and Smithwick, Texas. He graduated from Marble Falls High School in 1960 and married Donna Cecilia Smith when he was 20 years old. He adopted three children Roger Lane, Holly Rae and Robert Preston.

Ray spent six years in the United States Marine Corps and Reserves. He built Marble Falls’ first Dairy Queen, first self-service gas station Coe’s Corner, as well as, buying and running Ken’s Barbecue from his brother-in-law, Ken. His hobbies were hunting and fishing. He had a passion for arrowhead collecting and local history.

Ray Coe let his actions speak rather than words. He exemplified “The Good Samaritan” by living his life with a simple motto “everyone needs a little help sometimes”. He was never one to put anyone out of their way, but was always the first to go out of his way to help someone else. His warm smile, loving nature, and quiet pensive demeanor made him a pleasure to be around. He had a strong moral compass and was the first to adopt a dog or a cat and sometimes even a child. Ray loved to spin a yard with his wicked and original sense of humor. He was old school, like a mix between Andy Griffith and Matt Dillon. He would tell you where he stood, but was slow to wrath and quick to forgive. Ray cared for his loving wife Donna for over ten years during her bout with dementia, saying it was the most important thing he ever accomplished. Because of his anonymous way of helping others, we may never know just how many lives he touched through his generosity, good deeds, and sound wisdom.

A few years ago, Ray got another chance at love with Donna Petty, whom he married on Thanksgiving Day 2023. With this union, Ray gained a family of 27. He had the opportunity to meet them all last June at a family reunion in Missouri. Donna cared for and loved Ray until the very end. The Petty family cherished him and gave him an entirely new life filled with joy and love.

Ray was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, a cherished friend, a pinnacle in the community, a mentor, and one of the greatest men one could ever meet. He will be deeply missed and will live on in all of us who knew him.

Ray is survived by his children Lane Coe and his wife Ingrid, Preston Coe and his wife Anita, Holly Groth, grandson Dylan Thielepape and his wife Emily, great grandchildren Cohen (his namesake) and Violet, son-in-law Jason Thielepape and his wife Shane, second wife Donna Petty Coe and her children Jennifer, Joy, Troy and Patrick and their families.