Harvey Coon, 98, Buffalo, N.D., died on Saturday, May 16, 2020 at Bethany on University, surrounded by his family.

Harvey Luverne Coon was born November 8, 1921 in Belgrade, Montana to Cordon W.  and Stella F. (Miller) Coon.  He attended school in Belgrade, moving to Buffalo in 1935.  He graduated from Buffalo High School in 1938 and received his bachelor’s degree in Animal Husbandry from NDAC (North Dakota State University) in 1943.   While in college he was a member of The Gold Star Band, Saddle and Sirloin, Alpha Zeta, Kappa Sigma Chi, Phi Kappa Phi and Blue Key.  Harvey was a life-long Bison fan. 

He entered the US Navy in 1943.   He was assigned to the USS Electra AKA4 and later to the USS Freestone APA167.  During World War II he was involved in four South Pacific landings: Kwajalein, Eniwetok, Saipan, and Okinawa.  His ship carried the first Marine occupation forces to land in Nagasaki, Japan following the surrender.   He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1956 as a 1st Lieutenant.  He married Ila Jahnke on September 6, 1946 in Rock Lake, ND.  They made their home near Buffalo where they farmed and raised their children.  They were married for 67 years.  Ila passed away in 2013.

Through the years, Harvey was a member of the Buffalo School Board, American Legion for 74 years, Masonic Lodge, and NDSU Team Makers.  He worked the land that his grandfather homesteaded and loved farming with his John Deere machinery.  Harvey’s family played a central role in his life, and he placed a high value on education, a strong work ethic, honesty, and integrity.

Survivors include three children:  Carol (Mike) Beaton, Randy (Debbie) Coon and Candace (David) Shultz, all of Fargo;  five grandchildren:  Mike (Betsy) Beaton, Jill (David) Suppes, Jon (Kari) Beaton, Chelsea (Mike) Monda, Taylor Shultz (Kevin Lee); and eleven great-grandchildren:  Tanner  and Molly Beaton,  Anna, Sam and Megan Suppes, Max and Alex Beaton, Layton and Emmett Monda, and Lydia and Ruby Lee-Shultz.  He is also survived by sisters-in-law:  Lois Coon and Marrion Walsh; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Harvey was preceded in death by brothers Dr. Robert Coon and Kenneth Coon; sisters-in-law:  Judy Coon, Charlotte Hovey, Margaret Straley, Norine Lussenden; brothers-in-law:   Egil Hovey, Guy Straley, Lowell Lussenden and Dr. Frederick Walsh. 

A private family service will be held with a memorial service scheduled at a later date.

Interment:  Buffalo Cemetery. 

 

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

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