Capt. Wayne H. Coon USAF Retired

SHREVEPORT, LA - Services celebrating the life of Captain Wayne Hansford Coon will be held at Saint Mark\'s Episcopal Cathedral at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2015, 908 Rutherford Street, Shreveport, LA. Officiating will be The Rev. Dr. Wayne Carter of Saint Mark's. Interment will follow at Forest Park Cemetery, 3700 St. Vincent Avenue, Shreveport, LA with full military honors. Wayne, 80 went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior after braving lengthy illnesses. Born July 9, 1934, outside Jena, LA, in the Belah farming community and a descendant of the first family in the state of Mississippi. He later made his home in Shreveport in 1969 after retiring from The United States Air Force. A member of Saint Mark\'s Episcopal Cathedral since 1970 and had been an Usher since 1971. Also he served as an Usher in The Episcopal Chapel at Tan Son Nhut, South Vietnam, was affiliated with Grace Episcopal Church in Fairfield, California & Grace Episcopal Church in Monroe, LA. After graduating from Jena High School in 1952, he went on to Louisiana State University where he enrolled in the Air Force ROTC program and was commissioned as an Officer in the United States Air Force. While as a student at LSU he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Sigma Musical Fraternity and played trumpet in the LSU band. Decorated in 3 continents, Capt. Coon served his country in Europe, Australia, Asia and North America, earning two aeronautical ratings and did Top Secret Planning for the Military Airlift Command, and NATO Exercise Planning out of 8th Bomber Command, High Wycombe, England, Headquarters 2nd Air Force, Strategic Air Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, Headquarters 7th AFB in Tan Son Nhut, South Vietnam and Air Force Logistics Command, Warner Robins AFB, Georgia. He earned the Bronze Star Republic for service in South Vietnam, The South Vietnamese Commendation Medal Aeronaut with Honor and the United States Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, amongst many others. He was a member of the Military Officers Association of America and Air Force Association (MOAA). After completing his military career, Coon continued to demonstrate his ability to be a leader and a dedicated citizen. He served as National Director of Junior Chamber of Commerce in the state of Washington. After his move to Shreveport, he was a member of the Shreveport/Bossier Chamber of Commerce, Hap Arnold Masonic Lodge #457 F&M, National Sojourners, BAFB, 32ND Degree York Rite of the Masonic Order, 32ND Degree Scottish Rite Mason, El Karubah Shrine, its cast, Legion of Honor, and the Boy Scouts of America. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, William Jenkins Coon and Edna Rosier Coon, two sisters, Katherine \"Kitty\" Roberts and Ida Belle "Patty" Postlewait, two brothers, Hardtner \"Hardy\" Coon and Alva Leo Coon, and his loving bride, Carolyn Horton McCowen Coon. Survived by their children, Laura Lynn Coon, Dawn Dunphy, Karen McCowen, Bret and Kaye McCowen, Laura\'s mother, Jayne Simmons, his brother, Alonzo Wilson Coon, sisters-in- law, Margaret Parkhill, Jeanette Coon, Rita Horton and brother-in-law, Ray Horton; four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces and cousins. Honoring Wayne as pallbearers will be, Ray Horton, Bret McCowen, Danny McCowen, Johnny McCowen, John McCowen III, Robert Fitzgerald and Andy Shehee. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Rev. M.L. Agnew, Christopher Brown, Retired Col. Steve dePyssler, Jeff Head, Raymond Horton, Jr., Joe Raley, Matthew Raley and the United States Air Force from Barksdale Air Force Base. Special thanks to Jesus, all the Doctors, Nurses and staff at Christus Highland Hospital, Cornerstone, Spring Lake, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, BAFB, Patriot Guard Riders of Northwest Louisiana and to all those who visited, called, sat with, comforted, cared for, prayed for, and loved Papa. May God bless you all! The family suggests that any memorials please be made to Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, 908 Rutherford Street, Shreveport, LA 71104, 318-221-3360.