Donald A. Coon

Donald A. Coon, 92 of West Des Moines passed away on April 18, 2016. A memorial service will be at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 22, 2016 at Plymouth United Church of Christ, 4126 Ingersoll Ave. Des Moines, IA 50312. Donald was born on December 23, 1923 in Des Moines to Kenneth A. and Marie L. (Miller) Coon. He attended Drake University where he received his Bachelors and Masters Degree. He did his fellowship at the University of Iowa. He was a WWII Army veteran where he was a member of the 10th Mountain Division in the Aleutian Islands, and was in the Army Reserve. On September 11, 1952 Donald married Carla (Payton) Coon. Donald worked for the Des Moines school systems as an Educator and Vice Principal for 35 years before retiring in 1989. Donald was very involved in his community and was active in many different originations including; Acanthus Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite Consistory, Za Ga Zig Shrine, Des Moines Pioneer Club, Boy Scouts of America and ORFs volunteer for Camp Mitigwa, National Education Association, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a troop master and lead the Des Moines Boy Scout Jamboree of 1964. Some of his greatest honors included the Silver Beaver from the Boy Scouts, Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award, and Vigil Honor of Order of the Arrow. In his free time, Donald enjoyed gardening, reading history books, volunteering, and spending time with his family and friends. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes and Green Bay Packers fan. He is survived by his loving wife Carla of 62 years, children; Cindy Coon of Austin, TX, Sherry (Jeff) Wood of Austin, TX, Jon Coon of Washington, IA, grandchildren; Johnny (Brooke) Wood of Austin, TX, Michael Coon of Washington, IA, great-grandchild; Harrison William Wood, foster grandson; John (Kasey) Good, foster great-grandchildren; Reese Good, Rylan Good, Reagen Good, and Rowen Good. Donald is preceded in death by his parents, sisters; Betty Taylor, Marjorie Earp, and step brother; Richard Coon. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Boy Scouts of America or Plymouth United Church of Christ.