Walter R. Coe, Lt. (USN) Retired

Walt was beloved by his family and friends, and set an excellent example as a devoted husband and father. He was extremely hardworking and sacrificed to put his six children through parochial schools and college. He was affectionate, charming, energetic, funny, and outgoing, and prone to initiating conversations with complete strangers.

A veteran of two wars, Walt joined the U.S. Navy as a seaman at age 17 during the summer before the attack on Pearl Harbor. He moved up through seven enlisted ranks with extraordinary speed, rising to Chief Petty Officer, the most senior rank possible, by the time he was 21 years old. Upon joining the service, he was trained in aircraft mechanics, and during WWII served at multiple locations in the Pacific theater, including on Guadalcanal Island.

Following the war, in 1946, at 21 years old, Walt was selected to serve on the original Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team as Chief of Aircraft Maintenance. In 1949, he was assigned to the Naval Attaché staff in Seoul, Korea, one year prior to the beginning of the Korean War. Following the invasion of Seoul and evacuation to Japan, he flew 37 unarmed reconnaissance missions over Korea as an observer with the newly formed Air Force Mosquito Squadron and was awarded the Air Medal and three Oak Leaf Clusters. In 1954, Walt was honored for saving lives on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Bennington following a tragic boiler explosion the prior year that killed 104 men and injured 139 others. In 1957, after 16 years as an enlisted man, Walt attended Officer Training School in 1957. The following year he was assigned for four and a half years to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to help organize the Research and Development Center in Pomona, NJ. Walt retired from the US Navy in 1963 at the rank of Lieutenant with 22 years of service.

Walt moved his family to San Antonio, Texas and commenced a second career with Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, starting out as a store manager and retiring after 20 years as District Marketing Manager. For several years during this period, he also served on the Board of Directors of the Better Business Bureau of San Antonio.

Upon retirement from Firestone, Walt became a Blue and Gold officer for the U.S. Naval Academy. He served for seven years, recruiting and counseling Naval Academy candidates and helping at career events. He also served as president of the Shavano Heights Homeowners Association for five years, and later spearheaded many neighborhood projects.

Walter was predeceased by his parents, William and Dixie Counts Coe, and eight of his siblings. His last remaining sibling, younger sister Kay Tolley, of Chesapeake, Virginia, passed away on March 17, 2021, exactly one year to the day after Walt’s passing. He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Dolores Jablonski Coe, whom he met while stationed at the American Embassy in Seoul, Korea. Walt is also survived by five children: Dr. Jeffrey D. Coe (Marlene) of Monte Sereno, CA, William R. Coe (Cindi) of Charlotte, NC, Monica J. Coe of San Antonio, TX, Michele Coe-Walker (Jimmy Walker) of McKinney, TX, James S. Coe of Atlanta, GA and 11 grandchildren: Julia, Jennifer, Rachel and Michael Coe (Ashley); Dr. Stephanie Coe Zeller (Mark); Justin, Trevor, Blair and Amanda Walker; Aaron and Laura Coe. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service and celebration of Walt’s life was held on Thursday, August 5, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. Burial service with military honors was held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Shelter #1, followed by a reception at the Fort Sam Houston Golf Club from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of San Antonio at https://www.svdpsa.org/donate.

Videos of the service, reception and slideshow can be accessed via the link below. Please contact one of the family members directly for the password to view.

https://cloud.mediafusionapp.com/mf/coe.html