Verona: David James Coons passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2014. That evening, after dinner with his family, he went to sleep and was granted his final prayer, to join his loving wife of 61 years in eternal life.

David was born to Cecil and Doris Coons on October 20, 1931, the second of two sons. Little Davey (as his mother called him) never ceased to cause mischief as a youngster. When he wasn’t causing trouble, he recalled playing in the wide open fields as a young child, and gazing up at the sky in awe of the P-38’s flying overhead.

After graduating from Clawson High School in 1950, he attended the University of Michigan to study engineering. On December 21, 1952 he married his high school sweetheart, Nellie Ann Delong. Shortly after they married, David was off to serve his country in the Korean Conflict. After his release from the Army in 1954, he returned home to his young family and started his career at Kelsey Hayes Co. as a draftsman. In 1960 David moved his young family to Florida and began working with The Boeing Company, where his childhood passion for aviation came to fruition. It was an exciting time working on Cape Canaveral surrounded by NASA and The Kennedy Space Center. The Coons Family continued to grow and in 1970 Boeing moved David and his family to Washington.

Pursuing his dream of owning his own business eventually took David and family to Idaho and Wisconsin, settling in Verona, where David became the American Representative for Pasquali Tractors. David enjoyed the friends he made along the way, traveling the states to visit dealers and customers that he met through his business. Even in retirement, customers still called on him for advice, which he would freely offer.Looking back, it is with such pride that we see how he supported his large family for all those years with integrity, honesty, and compassion for the people he worked with.

Dad loved spending time with his large family, of which he was so proud. We all have such wonderful memories of holiday gatherings, Sunday morning coffee cake after church, campfires, family picnics, and special meals out with his kids and grand-kids. In Florida, he was always willing to take the kids to Cocoa Beach swimming or boating while Mom stayed home studying. He cherished the time he spent with his wife and family, and in particular the time spent up north at Camp Coons over the last seven years. Dad was the first to offer you a beer, brandy slush, or gin and tonic, and taught his grand-kids the same lesson that he passed on to each of his own eight children: "All things in moderation".

In his free time, David enjoyed wood-working and created priceless heirlooms, a talent he passed onto his sons. David enjoyed listening to music and loved all different kinds. He was fond of home cooked meals and appreciated the simple things in life: cherry pie, wacky cake, and jello; all of course, in moderation.

We will miss all the wonderful conversations we had with Dad. His wit, and storytelling will live on in our memories. Dad was Google before Google was invented. You could ask him about any topic and he would know more than most. He was, in short, the best Dad or Grandpa a child could ever ask for. Together, our parents built a beautiful family with a loving supportive legacy which is our charge to carry on.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Doris Coons, two brothers, John Coons and Donald Campbell, a grand-daughter, Lauren Jean Coons, and his wife of 61 years, Nellie Ann Coons.

He is survived by his eight children: Michael (Jamie) Coons, Pamela (Mike) Pope, Patricia (Phil) Howe, Robert (Jean) Coons, Susan (Allen) Schmid, Linda Pechan, James (Nancy) Coons, and Catherine (Rob) Matts. He is further survived by his 19 Grandchildren and 10 Great Grandchildren each of whom he adored and made feel special.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 10, 2014. at ST. WILLIAMS CATHOLIC CHURCH, Paoli, with Father William Vernon celebrating. Burial will follow at ST. WILLIAMS Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2pm to 4 pm, on Sunday, March 9, 2014 at Ryan Funeral Home, Verona Chapel, 220 Enterprise Lane, Verona.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Verona Senior Center.

"At last my love has come along.

My lonely days are over and life is like a song.

At last the skies above are blue.

My heart was wrapped in clover the night I looked at you.

I found a dream that I can speak to, A dream that I can call my own.

I found a thrill to press my cheek to,

A thrill I've never known. You smiled and the spell was cast

And here we are in Heaven - At Last"

Etta James

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

David Coons

October 20, 1931 - March 03, 2014

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