A DESOLATE CHILDHOOD
Jack Coe was born on March 11, 1918, to Blanche and George Coe of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was one of seven children. Blanche had been raised a Baptist, but at the time of Jack’s birth, it isn’t certain that she had been born again. It is believed his father was born again at a Billy Sunday meeting, but George Coe never attended church afterwards. Coe’s grandparents were Christians and excellent providers, leaving a considerable inheritance for George. But their principles never seemed to rub off on him. George had a bad habit of gambling and drinking. Blanche tried attending church for a while, but since George wouldn’t go, she stopped. Coe always believed things would have gone differently if she had continued in church and prayed for his father.
THE FIRST TRAUMA
When Coe was five, a moving van backed up to their home. He got excited, thinking something new was being delivered. He watched as the men spoke to his mother, then saw her turn pale and cry. Nothing new was coming. These men were removing their furniture. George had gambled away every last possession and run off. The van pulled away, leaving Blanche alone with seven children. She knelt on the porch and began to pray, the first time Coe ever saw her do so.
THE LOSS OF HOME
The next day, a man arrived and informed her, “I didn’t come to buy the house-it’s already mine! I’m very sorry, but you’ll have to move out.” George had gambled away the house itself.
A NEW STRUGGLE
Blanche moved her children to Pennsylvania. They lived in a basement. Blanche did laundry by day and attended nursing school by night. One day, George returned, pleading with her to come back. She agreed and returned to Oklahoma. But when the gambling resumed, Blanche left him for good, this time taking only her daughter and leaving the boys behind.
ORPHANAGE AND HEARTBREAK
Later, Blanche returned for the boys but eventually took Coe and his brother to an orphanage. After saying his goodbyes, she turned and walked away. Coe later wrote: “Dad didn’t want me, and now Mother…the only friend I’ve ever had…she’s turned her back on me and left me. I thought my heart would break within me as I saw her going down that walk. For a long time I stood and cried.” His brother later ran away from the orphanage and was killed by a car. At the funeral, Jack felt even more alone.
To be continued…
Tale Tuesday 139
Date: 22nd July, 2025
Title: : Jack Coe The Man of Reckless Faith
Source: God’s Generals-Jack Coe
Author: Robert Liardon
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