James “Jim” was born March 3, 1922 in Ravenna, Ohio to parents Fred B. and Kathryn “Kate” Coe. He went to 6th grade at the old Chestnut St. School, then to Ravenna High School, graduating in the class of 1940. Jim was employed at the Ravenna Arsenal until enlisting in the Naval Air Force, training as an aerial ordinance man and gunner. He was a veteran of WWII, flying bombing and patrol missions for two years in the Pacific Theater and earning the Air Medal with Stars and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
After the war, Jim married the love of his life, Carolyn (Ruffin) Coe, on June 19, 1948 and were married 64 years. Jim and Carolyn built their home in Ravenna where they raised their two children; Rick (Heather) Coe and Marilyn (John) Wanacheck. Jim went on to be employed by Chrysler-Plymouth dealerships in Kent and Ravenna for six years until moving on to Samuel Moore Co. (Eaton Corp.) in Mantua where he enjoyed a twenty-eight year career in research and engineering, developing numerous patents and retiring in 1980.
Jim enjoyed life with his wife Carolyn, dancing and touring the countryside with her, especially the Amish country hills. He loved “NACITS” (Not a Cloud in the Sky) days and truly loved to be with people. Yes, he had a long and happy life.
He is survived by his son Rick (Heather) Coe of Ravenna, daughter Marilyn (John) Wanacheck of Ravenna, grandsons Jason Coe of Florida, Joshua (Karen) Coe of Texas, granddaughters: Nicole (Doug) Potts of North Carolina, and Abby Wanacheck of Ravenna and great-granddaughter Kayden Potts. Surviving also is his sister Helen (Fred) Edmonds of Kentucky, niece Holly Walton of Kentucky and nephew Dan (Susan) Stefancik of Mogadore.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Carolyn, his sister Nathalie Stefancik and brother-in-law Raymond Ruffin.
Family will receive friends on Monday, October 7, 2013 from 5:00pm until 7:00pm at the Wood-Kortright-Borkoski Funeral Home, 703 E. Main St., Ravenna where funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. with Father James Lang officiating. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com.
The Coe family would like to express their sincere gratitude to all the staff at Longmeadow Care Center and the Dr.’s and staff of 2nd East at Robinson Memorial Hospital for the special care and compassion Jim and our family received.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Ravenna VFW Post 1055, 5998 New Milford Rd., Ravenna, Oh. 44266 or to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th fl., New York, NY 10001.
(Wood-Kortright-Borkoski 330-296-6436)
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