Vernon “Chub” Thomas Coons

Vernon “Chub” Thomas Coons

He was born Nov. 24, 1927, at home in Guthrie, Minn., near Bemidji, Minn.

He attended the Frontenac School, near Guthrie,  through eighth grade.

In the 1940s he traveled west to stay with his sister Laura in Weaverville, Calif., and eventually settled in Brookings.

He worked in the logging industry throughout Oregon. In June 1947, he entered the  U.S. Army and served in  the Military Police in occupied Japan. He was honorably discharged in December 1948.

After returning to Brookings, he met and married Helen Swearingen in 1951 and they had a daughter, Terry. They eventually divorced.

In 1956 he met Roynell Rankin. In July 1957 they had a daughter Julie. They separated shortly thereafter.

Around this time he began working as a clerk at Kerr Hardware until he retired in the 1980s.

In 1962 he married Lois Avril Wayt. They had children James “Luke” and Cheri. Lois passed away in 1985.

 In 1991 he met and fell in love with Beverly Lambert.  They were together until her passing in September 2008.

He was a member of Elks Lodge 1934 for 54 years, and tended bar there part time during the 1970s.

He is survived by daughters Julie Turner, Terry Coons, Cheri Griffith and her husband Mike; stepdaughter Linda Honey; stepson Craig Lambert  and his wife Chris; daughter-in-law Candy Coons. Also surviving are  four grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by sister Laura Jones; brothers Roy “Bud” Coons, Harry Coons, Joseph Coons; half-brother Henry Maruhn; first wife Helen, second wife Lois; partner of 18 years Beverly Lambert; son James “Luke” Coons;  granddaughter Kelly Coons.

A memorial service will be   at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, at  Elks Lodge 1934, 800 Elk Drive, in Brookings. A reception and light refreshments will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Tribute Program, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148.