Marilyn (Powell) Coon
Marilyn (Powell) Coon was born June 21, 1947, in Henryetta, to the late James and Eunice (Fleming) Powell and passed away November 20, 2022, in her home near Sulphur at the age of 75.
She met William Coon, a USAF member, in Oklahoma City where she was working in the electronics field, and they were married July 5, 1969, in San Antonio, Texas by his father, an ordained Presbyterian Minister. She remained working in Oklahoma City and in Prague while William spent a year, 1970-1971, in Vietnam. On his return, they moved to Hurlburt Field, Florida and in 1973 they were sent to Belgium, just south of Brussels and near the small town of Mons where he was assigned to the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) which was the Military HQ for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
In 1974, Marilyn herself enlisted in the USAF. After initial training in Texas and Mississippi, she was sent back to SHAPE and worked in the Communications and Electronics Division. From this point on Marilyn and her husband were stationed at the same base for the duration of their careers, her 21 years, and his 29 years.
After six years in Belgium, she was sent to the HQ for Strategic Air Command in Nebraska. Two years later Marilyn applied for, was interviewed for, and selected to move across the Base to provide administrative support to the National Emergency Airborne Command Post (NEACP) or, as the media likes to call it the “Doomsday Plane.” This required her to augment one of the Battle Staff teams and qualify for flying status.
In 1984, Marilyn transferred to a Base in England to support 3rd Air Force HQ in their Protocol Office. Near the end of that five-year stay she decided to change careers and attempt to qualify for a” First Sergeant” duty title. The duties would involve being a Commanders right hand person in dealings with the enlisted personnel under that Commander. To obtain her goal, she would have to attend and graduate from a school in Mississippi. Having completed the school satisfactorily, Marilyn was sent to Hickam Air Force Base near Honolulu, Hawaii. She served 4 years there and then was assigned to Altus AFB, OK for her final 2 years before retirement in 1995. During Marilyn’s 21 years in the Air Force, she was awarded three Air Force Meritorious Service Medals, one Joint Service Commendation Medal, and one Air Force Commendation Medal among several others in addition to completing an associate degree in Electronics.
In 1997, they had a home built near Sulphur and now have been here for 25 years. During the first 10 years here, Marilyn worked for the Murray County Sheriff’s Office and then retired again.
Survivors include Marilyn’s husband William (also known as Willie or Bill); a younger sister, Annette Ruth Dinsmore of Venice, Florida; an older brother, James Powell of North Richland Hills, Texas and a niece and several nephews.
In addition to her parents Marilyn was preceded in death by her stepfather, R. O. Nunley; and two older sisters, Patricia Fuller and Rosalee Orta.
No services were requested. Cremation was “entrusted to” HALE’S FUNERALHOME, DAVIS. Online condolences may be offered at HYPERLINK “http://www. halesfuneralhomes.com” www.halesfuneralhomes.com.