Marvin “Smoky” Coe, 87, changed his address and entered into the presence of God on July 4, 2018. He was a man of strong faith who believed in the power and resurrection strength of Jesus Christ’s love.
Smoky was born December 15, 1930 in Cookville, Texas and bought his first guitar at a pawn shop for $2.50 at the young age of 10. Self-taught and hungry to sing, play and write music, he began performing with the Jamboree Boys by the age of 14 at local rodeo, fairs and festivals. In addition, the band played on a daily live radio program on KIMP in Mount Pleasant, Texas. The band was often featured at Shalor’s Starlight Lounge in Texarkana, where they regularly performed backup with Jim Reeves.
The Korean War altered the course of Smoky’s music career and, like most young men of that time, he joined the Army. Shortly after his stint in the service, he moved to North Carolina with his family, married Dolly Jane Smith and began a career with Ford Motor Company. Throughout his business career, Smoky maintained his love of music, playing with local bands and writing original country tunes. He had such a passion for music that he established MARCO Recording, a sound studio that he operated to record local country and gospel bands that wanted to put their music on vinyl and tape. Smoky owned and operated the studio for 35 years. During that time, he discovered and became friends with Randy Travis. Randy went on to Nashville fame and called one day to ask if he could include one of Smoky’s original songs, “Good Intentions,” on a new album. Travis’ Always & Forever album went double-Platinum and remains his best-selling album to date, with more than five million copies sold. Smoky moved with his family from Gastonia, N.C. to Amelia Island, Fla. in 2014.
Smoky was a devoted father of three children, Steve Coe (wife, Connie), John Daniel Coe, and Lori Flemming (husband, Ned), and doting grandfather to Jane Coe Flemming, the apple of his eye. He met the Florida love of his life, Jan Bryant, who brought him much joy and happiness during his time living on Amelia Island. Smoky was a true and faithful friend to many acquaintances in Texas, North Carolina and Florida.
Smoky was assured of his eternal destination. While his family and friends are grieving the loss of him here on Earth, we are comforted in the knowledge that we will be reunited with him in Heaven one day soon. “What a Day of Rejoicing That Will Be!”
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Amelia Plantation Chapel.
Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors