Charles Coon

Charles Paul Coon has gone to be with his Lord. Known to his family as Paul and to his friends as Charlie, he passed away on Thursday, April 10, 2014, at the age of 77. He was born on March 28, 1937 in Winfield, Kansas to Charles and Carol Coon. Mr. Coon is survived by his wife of 58 years, Johnnie Sue Coon of Selah, brother and sister-in-law, John Coon and Mary Ward from Bigfork, Montana, three children, son and daughter-in-law Mark and Candi Coon from Metaline Falls, Washington, daughter and son-in-law Rhonda and Jesus Gonzales of Selah, and son David Wain Coon from San Francisco, California. He leaves behind seven grandchildren, Branden, Rocky, Bridgette, Ian, Janae, Adam and Neal; six great-grandchildren, Lael, Zayden, Kaylee, Ryker, Ava, and Zulee; and a niece, Brandi. He graduated from Victorville High School in Victorville, California in 1955 and joined the United States Navy. Shortly thereafter he met and married Johnnie Sue, who was from Memphis, Tennessee, on August 25, 1956. During Charlie’s twenty year stint in the Navy, he spent a short time in the Philippines, Memphis and Virginia Beach. He was stationed at Whidbey Island Naval Station in Oak Harbor, Washington for the majority of his career. He spent several tours aboard aircraft carriers as an electronics engineer during the Viet Nam War. He retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer at the rank of E-8 in 1975. After retiring, he owned and operated Courtesy Auto Repair in Oak Harbor for four years before spending the next seven years as the camp ranger and director at Black Mountain Scout Camp near Maple Falls, Washington. in 1985, Paul and Johnnie moved to Selah and for the next twenty-six years he helped her run the Selah Liquor Store. Charlie was always an avid outdoorsman, and loved to hunt and fish. He was a craftsman and could do just about anything with his hands. Over the years, he touched many lives through his involvement as a Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America, working with many young men through life and helping several achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. But, above all, the most important thing in his life was his family. There was nothing he would not do for them. He often said how proud he was of his children and grandchildren. Everyone who knew and had contact with him are better people because of that experience. He was an incredible man who was loved in life and will be missed. A chapel service for Mr. Coon will be held at noon on Friday, April 18, at the Valley Hills Funeral Home followed by a graveside service at 1:00 pm at the Terrace Heights Cemetery. A viewing will be from 1 until 7 pm on Thursday, April 17, at the Valley Hills Funeral Home. Please share memories of Charlie at www.valleyhillsfh.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles Coon, please visit our flower store.