Floyd Clayton Coons

Floyd Clayton Coons was born on Dec. 30, 1928, to Harry and Delma (Allen) Coons in Vermillion, Kansas, the ninth of 10 children. He passed away on Nov. 27, 2016, just shy of his 88th birthday. He attended a one-room school house for his first eight years of education.

In 1942 the family migrated to Eastern Oregon, where Floyd graduated from Ontario High School in 1946. After high school, Floyd worked in several different fields before joining the U.S. Army in 1949, just before the Korean War. He served about a year in Korea as a medic, and was honorably discharged having been awarded the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.

Following his military service, Floyd enrolled in the medical technology program at Oregon Technical Institute (under the GI Bill), and after graduation became employed at St. Mary’s Hospital (later Columbia Memorial Hospital), where he remained for the next 31 years. As clinical laboratory manager, he oversaw the growth of the hospital laboratory from a “one man operation” to a complex multitechnician department. In 1961, he received the Astoria Chamber of Commerce’s George Award for his work in support of local Red Cross blood drives.

On May 16, 1951, Floyd married Roberta Alderson of New Plymouth, Idaho, in New Plymouth. They had three children, son Michael (Palmer, Alaska), daughter Victoria (Portland, Oregon), and son Patrick (Astoria, Oregon). This past May they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

Floyd will be remembered for his gregariousness and love of people. He was an avid, very successful gardener and shared its bounty with many. He was an accomplished horseman and horse trainer. He was a writer with a special interest in local history, especially the Lewis and Clark area, and contributed several articles to the Cumtux Magazine. He also has three autobiographical essays archived with the Oregon Historical Society.

Floyd is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, living at the family home in the Lewis and Clark area; their three children; a sister, Betty Lewis, in Alberta, Canada; and many scattered nieces and nephews.

Floyd loved the Lord.

A celebration of life will be Dec. 5 at 11 a.m. at the Lewis and Clark Bible Church, 35802 Seppa Lane, with a potluck at noon.

Floyd held the Disabled American Veterans organization in high regard. Flowers or checks to the DAV in memory of Floyd Coons would be appreciated.