Harold Richard Coon Jr., of Erie, Michigan, passed away on December 21, 2025 at the age of 96.
Harold was born in Toledo, Ohio on September 2, 1929. He was the oldest of three children to Harold Sr. and Belma (Hall) Coon.
In 1947, Harold graduated from Whitmer High School, Toledo, Ohio. After working on his father's farm for a few years, he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1952. Harold deployed with 20th Weather Squadron, Detachment 6, stationed in Japan during the Korean War era. Assigned to weather operations supporting air missions from bases such as Itazuke Air Base in Fukuoka, he provided critical forecasting that helped pilots and commanders plan missions safely amid rapidly changing weather across the Korean Peninsula. Working quietly behind the scenes, his service played an essential role in protecting lives and ensuring mission success, he earned the Korean Service Medal, U.N. Service Medal and National Defense Medal
While in Fukuoka, he crossed paths several times with Miiko, who became the love of his life. They married in a Japanese traditional ceremony on December 25, 1954 and in a Christian ceremony on September 2, 1955. In December 1955, they crossed the Pacific on a two-week ocean voyage with their six-month-old infant, beginning a new life. They settled down in Southeast Michigan and welcomed five more children. Harold started work as a lab technician at General Mills in Toledo, Ohio in 1957 and retired 38 years later. He farmed the family's 80-acre property in Ida, Michigan through 1992.
From his days as a paperboy for The Toledo Blade, Harold had a lifelong habit of staying informed, faithfully reading a stack of newspapers each day. As a young man, he also worked as a pinsetter, sparking a love of bowling that stayed with him for life; he and his wife were active members of bowling leagues in Monroe. A dedicated farmer, Harold worked the land for as long as his body allowed and took great pride in his Allis-Chalmers tractors, which he enjoyed displaying at the Antique Tractor & Engine Show at Nike Park.
Harold was preceded in death by his brother and sister in-laws, Seishi, Nobuko, Yoshiro, Masahiro, Nahomi, and Taketoshi, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Sakae and Shizuko, his parents, Harold Sr. and Belma, his brother, Donald Coon, his brother-in-law, Bobby Potter, and his wife of 67 years, Miiko.
Harold is survived by his sister, Pauline Potter of Monroe, his sister-in-law, Hildegard Coon of Lakeland, Florida, his six children, Bernard (Deborah) Coon, Naomi Coon, Ronald Coon, Amy (Paul) Southworth, Brenda (Mike) Ryan, and Howard (Heather) Coon, and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Saturday December 27, 2025 from 10 a.m. until services begin at 12 p.m. VFW Post 1138 will provide military honors and Rev. Greyson Grenz will officiate the service.
Memorial donations may be given to the Trinity Lutheran Church of Monroe and Southeast Michigan Antique Tractor & Engine Association.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com .