In Memory of

James

Alvin

Coon

Obituary for James Alvin Coon

James Alvin Coon, 82, long-time resident of Aberdeen, passed away Wednesday, November 22nd, 2017, at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington.
Jim was born on Sunday, April 28th, 1935 on the family ranch in Clarkdale, Arizona, to James and Violet Coon. After graduating from high school in Clarkdale in 1953, he enlisted in the Air Force. Once he completed basic training, he was stationed in Alaska and then at the Opheim Radar Station 50 miles north of Glasgow, Montana. There, he met the love of his life, Bonnie Jean Stedtfeld; they were married on January 17th, 1956. Jim served in the Air Force for one more year after they were married. They moved between Arizona and Washington over the next several years where he worked numerous jobs. Jim and Bonnie, and the now family of four were living in Flagstaff when he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Northern Arizona University. After finishing college, he started his 30-year teaching career in Aberdeen, Washington; Jim retired in 1991 from teaching Physics, Physical Science, Math, Astronomy, and Biology at Aberdeen High School. In between teaching, he obtained his Master of Science from Purdue University, was involved heavily in the local church and supported numerous after school activities for several years. One of Jim’s biggest passions was sharing the Word of God, which he enjoyed for 49 years as an active member of Gideons International as well as through ministry work at the Stafford Creek Corrections Center.
Outside of Jim’s successful career, he was a very loving husband and dedicated father. Jim is survived by his wife, Bonnie, of 61 years, who resides at the family home in Ocean Shores, Washington. He is also survived by his two sisters, Shirley and Charlotte; four children, James, Roxi, Cindy and Kenneth, as well as 13 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. Jim was preceded in death by his father, mother, and his two brothers, Walt and Don. He will be greatly missed by his many nieces and nephews, as well as the numerous people he befriended over his many years of life.
A memorial service for Jim will be held on Saturday, December 16th, at 2:00 PM, at Faith Community Church in Ocean Shores.