Clifford C. Coon

Clifford C. Coon was born in Linton, North Dakota on May 18, 1931 to Clifford M. and Lilly (Nelson) Coon, the oldest of four children. His early years were spent in North Dakota.

During the Second World War his family moved to Seattle where his parents worked at Boeing. His mom was a “Rosy the Riveter”. Cliff started building houses with his dad there. He joined the Navy in 1951 and served in the “Seas Bees” until 1955.

His family had moved to Libby, so he came there after his honorable discharge. His work in sawmills started then. In 1956 he married JoAnn Olson. An offer to work in Canada came in 1972. He worked in sawmills until 1990, then he returned to carpentry in Hinton, Alberta.

Cliff hardly ever missed coffee at A&W and loved to be around people. On of his greatest joys was sharing his carpentry skills with his children and grandchildren. Another passion was dancing — he even participated in the opening ceremonies for the 1988 Olympics in Calgary as a square dancer. He spent a lot of time grooming trails at the Hinton Nordic Centre.

He is survived by his wife JoAnn of 61 years; his children, Denise (Robert) Boutin, Ty (Tami) Coon and Tom(Karen) Coon, all of Hinton. Also to carry on the family are seven grandchildren Tyson, Corlee, Brice, Teena, Whitney, Jerri-Lea and Bret; 10 great-grandchildren; his sister Hazel and brother Norman (Brenda); mother-in-law; Bertha Fanning; sister-in-law Wutsie Nelson; brother-in-law Joe Olson (Monica); as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Cliff was predeceased by his parents, two infant sons and one brother.

As an expression of sympathy, if friends so desire, donations may be made in memory of Cliff to the Hinton Healthcare Foundation, #11-107 Swanson Drive, Hinton, AB T7V 1H1.