Clifford Alton Coon Jr.

Clifford A. Coon, Jr. passed away peacefully on Jan. 8, 2013, in his home in Salt Lake City. Born on Sept. 20, 1930 in Salt Lake City to Clifford and LaVerna Coon, Clifford Jr. grew up in East Mill Creek where he attended Granite High School. After his graduation in 1949 he served a mission for the LDS Church in South Africa from 1950 to 1952. He then enrolled in the University of Utah from which he graduated in 1955 with a degree in elementary education. After serving in the military between 1955 and 1957, Clifford Jr. earned two Masters Degrees from San Francisco State College (1965) and Stanford University (1966).

Clifford Jr. lived most of his adult life in Menlo Park, California where he taught elementary school until his retirement in 1990, in addition to serving as a councilor in the Menlo Park bishopric for many years. An accomplished pianist and painter, he was also an expert collector of majolica, early American pottery and Renaissance furniture. His many generous donations now grace the collections of several museums in both Salt Lake City and the San Francisco bay area.

In 1993 he suffered a stroke that severely affected his speech and left his right side paralyzed. The dignity and grace with which he faced this challenge inspired awe in all those who knew him during this time. Clifford Jr. was preceded in death by his sister Carolyn Dupuis. In addition to his many close friends and relatives and his loving caregiver, Marlina Henderson, Clifford Jr. is survived by his niece, Isabelle Dupuis, and his great nephew, Clovis Dupuis.

Funeral services will be held Monday Jan. 14 at 11am at the Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park – 3401 Highland Drive, SLC. Viewing is scheduled on Sunday Jan. 13 from 5pm to 7pm and Monday Jan. 14 from 10am to 11am at the same location.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the University of Utah’s Museum of Fine Arts.