Gerald "Jerry" Richard Coon

Gerald (Jerry) Richard Coon came into the world June 13, 1936, like most babies at that time he was born at home which was Danville, Illinois. He was the oldest child born to Paula Coon (Roberts) and Henry E. Coon, but would later become big brother to Dennis, Reva, Rhonda and Bill. He spent most of his childhood up until young adulthood in Illinois, surrounded by family. His dad taught him how to fish and hunt and go junkin. Junkin was his favorite family activity. They would go thru the junk piles and find items to piece together to make better items. His summers were spent with his family camping beside the river. Hunting and fishing during those times are among his fondest memories and fostered a love of the outdoors that stayed with him until the end. A month after he turned 18 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He would go on to spend 21 years in the service, during that time getting married to Marilyn Vrabel Williams that marriage which lasted 21 years produced 4 children, Andy, Bernadette, Tommy and Teri. He retired from the Air Force and began work at Phillip Morris from which he retired after 18 years. During that career transition, his marriage to Marilyn had ended and he started a new chapter with Helen Leighty Coon. She had three children from her previous marriage, Jeff, Earl, and Bobby. Together they became a beautiful blended family who celebrated holidays, vacations, birthdays and all of life’s celebrations together. He attended every high school (except one and I am sure he was there in spirit) and college graduations. He was there for the births of his grandkids and great grand kids and held each new addition to his legacy with strong loving arms. He was so proud of his family. He provided guidance, wisdom and support. He wanted to know how everything worked and ensured that you understood how it worked at well. He was an outdoors man, hunting for morel mushrooms and teaching his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids how to fish. He passed his love for the outdoors down thru the generations so much so that he hand built a home on the lake for his family to gather and make memories to last a lifetime. Intense discussions, lessons and love were passed around his dinner table, where you could usually find him after a hard day’s work outside. He never shied from a good debate, but also listened and considered your opinion. He loved politics and never missed an election working the polls up until the very last ballot was cast. He donated gallons upon gallons of blood throughout his lifetime. He was respected and loved and will be missed by the family he leaves behind, a large blended family that reflects the years of love, devotion and lessons he instilled during his lifetime. He was constantly working hard and fighting to make his life and himself better than the day before. From a poor boy born in Illinois, he built a proud life, he built a proud family, he built a legacy. On June 5, 2020 after fighting cancer for a year and a half he gave up the fight and joined his creator in heaven. There is not a doubt in my mind that when he stood before his heavenly father and looked back over his life he said well done, Jerry, well done. He is preceded in death by his father Henry Coon, his mother Paula Coon Roberts, his brother Dennis Coon, his brother Bill Roberts, his sister Rhonda Orrao his wife Helen Coon and there dog Snoozi. He is survived by his children, Andy Coon (Marsha), Bernadette Coon Jones (Casper), Tommy Coon (Susan) and Teri Ruby (Greg) his stepchildren Jeff Leighty (Glennis), Earl Leighty (Laura), Bob Leighty (fiancée’ Georgia) . His sister Reva Coon Hodges (Harold), his sister in law Harriette Moore. 30 Grandkids and 19 Great Grand kids (with one on the way making it 20) Aunts, Uncles, Nieces and Nephews. And the two angels Rosa and SaHra that God sent to help take care of Jerry. In lieu of donations Jerry would want you to get out and vote, donate blood and just try to be a better person, learn how things work and be a contributing member of society. A drive-in funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 12, 2020 in the parking lot of the Chester Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. While in the parking lot, please visit www.jtmorriss.com to watch a live stream of the service. Also, please consider visiting the funeral home website or calling into the funeral home to leave a Hug from Home signifying your attendance at the service. A private interment will be held in Bermuda Memorial Park.