John (Jack) Koon was born in Piqua, Ohio to Carl & Goldie Koon on June 18, 1925. Being the youngest of four children, Jack had three older sisters Louise Koon-Neville Sr (Frank), Constance (Connie) Koon-Harry (Paul), Vivian Onalee (Died at 5). His mother, Goldie, died when he was 5 years old from ovarian cancer. Approximately three years after Goldie's death, his father married Ruth Sewell and Jack gained two step-sisters: Margaret H. Harrington-Wilson (Rex ) memorial 17925401 and Jean Graham-Cleaver (Charlie) memorial 256489274. He attended Piqua High School in Ohio from 1939-1943 and was the drum major for the school band. In 1943, at age 18, he was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II and was in the D-Day offensive forces during 1944. He was wounded by shrapnel in the legs about a month after his arrival. Recovering in a hospital in France, he was awarded the Purple Heart and eventually returned home to Ohio in 1945. He attended Ohio Wesleyan University on the GI Bill, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in 1949 and was employed most of his life as a claim adjuster for Travelers Insurance in Bellbrook, Ohio. He met Jane Work while attending Ohio Wesleyan through a blind date. They married in June 1948. Their family began in 1951 with the birth of their first daughter followed by a son & two more daughters all with names beginning with "J"--they became the "J" family. He retired from Travelers in 1981. He & Jane moved to Denver, Colorado to be near family & also to realize Jane's life dream of living in Colorado. Being a math wiz, he volunteered tutoring students in retirement at local schools. Jack & Jane liked socializing & visiting friends and family as well as being active in their church community. They also enjoyed camping and spending time in Estes Park , Colorado. He died unexpectedly of cancer.

Military Information: PFC, US ARMY