Malcolm Leroy Coon Jr.

Malcolm L. "Butch" Coon Jr., passed away on Monday, December 29, 2025, at UPMC Hamot, surrounded by his loving family. Butch was born on April 26, 1949, to Malcolm L. and B. Arlene Jeffery Coon in McLean, NY.

He graduated from Dryden High School in 1968 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, completing three deployments to Vietnam. The third was as a U.S. Navy Advisor to Chau Doc, after successfully learning to speak Vietnamese. Butch traveled the world on the USS Clarke County, USS Navasota, USS Peoria, and his last deployment was aboard the USS Nimitz on its maiden cruise to the Mediterranean. He was a devoted patriot who took the greatest pride in serving his country.

In 1972, Butch married his high school sweetheart, Sheila Sullivan, and together they shared 53 years of marriage.

Butch's commitment and service to others continued after his honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy. In 1975, he became an EMT. In 1987, he graduated from the SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse as the first Certified Paramedic in Tompkins County, NY. During his 20-year career, he became a Supervisor at Eastern Ambulance in Syracuse, Hayes Ambulance Company in Cortland, and Cortland Memorial Hospital ER, all the while dedicating his free time to the Groton Volunteer Fire Department as a Medic, Fire Chief and Firefighter. In 1997, he began employment at Sam's Club in Big Flats, NY and later in Erie, PA, as a dock supervisor, retiring in 2011.

While retired he devoted his time to family, neighbors, and his Vietnam brothers of the VVA Chapter 435. His service as a color guard member continued in many ways, including the annual Watch Fire event, attendance at local funerals, and marching in the Independence Day and Veterans Day parades.

Butch could strike up a conversation with anyone who crossed his path. He made a point to welcome home every Vietnam veteran he encountered and took pride in thanking servicemen and women for their many sacrifices for this country. He also selflessly endured Erie winters to ensure his neighbors could return home to clear driveways, faithfully relying on his trusty snowblower.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents, Malcolm L. and B. Arlene; along with his loving brother, Timothy J. Coon; aunt, Carina Emerson; brother-in-law, Clifford Wallace; and niece, Theresa Wallace. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Sheila and their four children, Carey (Stephen) Aderhold, Jeffery (Amanda) Coon, Jaclyn (Ryan) Fuller, and Bethany (Michael) Reilly; along with their five grandchildren, Sean, Elyse, Bailey, Ella and Harper. Included survivors are his cherished sister and cousins, Janette Wallace, Teri Lynn (Jeff) Evener and Scott Marlette; along with many sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received at the Dusckas Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 2607 Buffalo Rd., on Thursday, January 8th, from 5 pm until the time of the Memorial Service there at 6:30 pm conducted by Rev. James McCormick. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 435, 4773 Greenbriar Dr., Erie, PA 16509. Condolences may be sent to www.dusckasfuneralhomes.com.