Gregory G. Coon

Gregory G. Coon was born on August 24,1959, in Wichita Kansas to H.E. “Bud” Coon and Elsie Lorene Coon (Albrecht). Greg was the youngest of four children, all boys. Growing up in the City of Orange, Greg earned the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of thirteen. In 1977 he graduated from Orange High School, receiving “Varsity Letters” in water polo and wrestling. Greg was taught the importance of a strong work ethic during his formative years.

After high school, Greg married Kathy Reeser, and during their marriage, they had two boys, Shaun and Aaron. Greg worked various construction and sales jobs before working as a corrections officer for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

After moving to Hesperia, Greg became a Paid-Call Firefighter for the Victorville Fire Department. He obtained a full-time position finding his niche in Haz-Mat. He attended numerous hazardous material classes throughout the United States and eventually started teaching Haz-Mat and Fire Science classes at Victor Valley College, for various government agencies and internationally. All while raising two boys.

Greg rose to the rank of Firefighter / Haz-Mat Specialist running the Victorville Fire Department Haz-Mat squad until the San Bernardino County Fire Department absorbed the department in 2008.

In 1995 Greg married the love of his life and soul mate, Marie Steele. Together, Marie and Greg were a whole person, both finding an unrivaled completion of heart, mind, and soul. Greg helped raise Marie’s daughter Lisa, treated her as if she were his own, and proudly called Lisa his daughter.

Greg also enjoyed his off time hanging out on his boat at the lake or river, riding his quad runner in the desert, or R.V. camping at State beaches. Greg enjoyed showing off his antique fire engines and Porsche. He was the founder and curator of the Victorville Fire Department Museum and a Porsche Club of America member.

After retiring in 2015, Greg continued service with the Apple Valley Fire Protection District. He also started his own business, Firedog Haz-Mat & Emergency Training, teaching classes throughout the United States.

Sadly, Greg passed away after a short but courageous battle with metastatic melanoma.

Greg is survived by his wife Marie, sons Shaun and Aaron, daughter Lisa Donovan (Steele), grandchildren Braxton, Brody (Shaun and Leslie Coon), Braden, Luke (Aaron and Valerie Coon), and Hudson (Matt and Lisa Donovan). His mother, Lorene Coon, and his brothers Robert, Roger, and Danny. Greg was preceded in death by his father, H.E. “Bud” Coon.

A Memorial Service for retired Victorville / San Bernardino County Firefighter / Haz-Mat Specialist Greg Coon will be held on July 26, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Sunset Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary, 24000 Waalew Road, Apple Valley, CA 92307

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the California Fire Foundation (California Firefighters Memorial), https://cpf.salsalabs.org/in-honor-of-donation/index.html