Richard E. (Dick) Koon, of Jacksonville, Fla., passed away on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at McGraw Center for Caring of Community Hospice in Jacksonville, FL, at the age of 83.
A self-proclaimed Florida native, Dick was actually born in Syracuse, NY, on July 1, 1940, as the only son of Olive and Eugene Koon who relocated to Winter Park, Florida, when he was a child and where he ultimately graduated from Winter Park High School.
Dick attended The Citadel and it was during his time as a Cadet that he accompanied a friend to Florida State University for a blind date where he met Mary Ann Gillespie. After his graduation, they were married and he enlisted in the U.S. Army where they began one of life’s many adventures.
As an only child, he warmed quickly to her larger extended family and for the entirety of their 60 year marriage he regularly celebrated being part of the in-laws and outlaws.
After achieving the rank of First Lieutenant, Dick left the service and spent the next 23 years as an IBMer before settling into entrepreneurship, working as the business manager for a nonprofit serving San Antonio’s at-risk youth and ultimately joining his daughter’s business before fully retiring in 2018.
A lifelong United Methodist, Dick was an active member of First UMC of Winter Park, Mt. Zion UMC, First UMC of Boca Raton, Roswell UMC and Coker Methodist Church.
A consummate fisherman, Dick loved to be on or near the water and will always be remembered for having the appropriate rod and tackle bag already packed for any adventure.
Dick is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Koon, of Jacksonville, FL; his daughter, Jennifer Koon and her husband John Carney and their sons Shannon and Owen Carney of Roswell, GA; his son, Jonathan Koon and his wife Leigh and their daughter Harmon of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; his first cousin, Jim Koon of Fairport, NY, and his sisters-in-law, Sondra Gillespie of Dawsonville, GA, Susan Gillespie of Newnan, GA and Jean Hull of Jacksonville, FL.
A service for friends and family will be held on July 20, 2024, at Ebenezer Methodist Church in Clarkesville, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family would request that donations be made to the McGraw Center for Caring of Community Hospice, 4715 Worrall Way, Jacksonville, FL 32224.
Richard E. (Dick) Koon passed away on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at McGraw Center for Caring of Community Hospice in Jacksonville, FL, at the age of 83.
A self-proclaimed Florida native, Dick was actually born in Syracuse, NY, on July 1, 1940, as the only son of Olive and Eugene Koon who relocated to Winter Park, Florida, when he was a child and where he ultimately graduated from W