Jesse E. "Ed" Fivecoate

Jesse E. “Ed” Fivecoate went home to God 10 August 2019.  Ed was born 15 April 1939 to Jesse E. and Beulah (Stafford) Fivecoate.

Ed was a member the Kokomo High School class of 1957.  He was recognized for his outstanding work as a teaching assistant to his electronics teacher, Mr. Rex Clingenpeel.

After high school, he entered the Air Force where he studied advanced electronics in preparation for being an Aircraft Electronics Navigation Equipment Repairman.  He graduated at the top of his class.

Ed graduated with distinction from Indiana University at Kokomo, in 1980, with a Bachelor’s degree in General Studies.  He earned the respect of many when he accomplished this goal while working full time, raising a family, building a house, and operating a business on the side.

He graduated with honors from Indiana University, in 1996, with a Master’s of Science degree in Instructional Systems Technology.

After finishing his high school and Air Force education, Ed served in the Air Force as a member of the elite SAC – Strategic Air Command.  He earned the rank of A/1c  – the highest rank attainable with four years service at that time.  He was stationed at various places including Greenland and Grissom Air Force Base.  He was responsible for the repair and maintenance of equipment used for Airborne Communications and Navigation.  He was also on flying status during this period, flying in recognizance missions over the polar cap.  He further worked in the capacity of controller and expeditor, and he was put in charge of the night radar section.  His commanding officer noted that he was “a good leader of men.”

Following his time in the Air Force, Ed worked for General Electric.  He was in charge of a remote missile tracking station near Kenansville, FL.  He also worked on the Titan missile installation project, overseeing the installation and setting up of the F-M communications network.  In addition, he worked at Cape Canaveral when the monkey, Enos, was sent into space.

After General Electric, Ed went to work for Delco Electronics, primarily as a senior design engineer – designing, constructing, and testing electronic, and production, equipment.

Ed received several commendations for contributions he made to the Air Force, GE, and Delco Electronics.

Ed was a beloved teacher.  He taught at Ivy Tech for over 50 years, teaching electronics and computer classes.  He had a special way of teaching that made difficult things easy to grasp and master.   His students enjoyed learning because he enjoyed teaching.

Upon retiring from Delco, Ed started his own business: Advantage Performance Technologies.  He designed production equipment and taught apprenticeship classes.

Ed enjoyed woodworking, painting, photography, and genealogy. However, he had little time for these interests.  Instead, he generally did what he enjoyed most: helping others and sharing with them the love of Jesus.  He was known to always put others first and to always have a kind, encouraging word to say.  He had a gift for making others feel valued and special.

In July of 1962, Ed married B. Susan (Sandifur) Fivecoate.  They have two children: Jeff Fivecoate (and wife Christine (McComas) Fivecoate); and Christina (Fivecoate) Andreas (and husband Jason Andreas). Susan and Ed have five grandchildren: (Jeff and Chris Fivecoate) Micah (and wife Abby), Abigayle (and husband Alex Abston), Helen Elizabeth, and Nathanael; and (Christina and Jason Andreas) Suzannah Andreas. Abigayle and her husband blessed the family with a two great-grandsons, Samuel and Michael.

Ed and Susan attended Kokomo First Church of the Nazarene. Prior to that, they were members of Fair Havens Christian Missionary Alliance church for many years.  He also regularly attended the Full Gospel Business Mens’ Fellowship.

Ed and Sue loved working with kids.  They had a gift for reaching out to kids who needed a little extra encouragement.  They taught Sunday School; were active church youth group leaders; and put on a Vacation Bible School program for high schoolers   They also served as boy scout leaders from 1970-1978.

Ed cared about his community, as well.  He was a member of Golden K Kiwanis, serving as president; a member of Historic Kiwanis, serving as president for several years; and serving as Lieutenant Governor of Kiwanis for all of Indiana. He further served as a member of the Kokomo Chamber of Commerce, and as a volunteer for the Salvation Army and Bona Vista.  He also helped with the Community Garden.

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and his six brothers and sisters: Pete; Benjamin; Lowell; Dorothy; Grace (Fivecoate) Quinn; and Raymond.

He is sorely missed by the rest of us!

Funeral services for Ed will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, 19 August 2019, at First Church of the Nazarene, 2734 S. Washington Street, Kokomo, with Pastor Stan Zurcher officiating.  Entombment will follow in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Air Force and the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team.  Friends are invited to visit with the family from 2-7 pm on Sunday at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 West Lincoln Road, Kokomo. A Masonic service will be held for Ed at 7pm on Sunday, following the time of visitation.  Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.  

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