Wayne P. Coon, 83, of Rapid City, SD, peacefully passed away on June 13, 2022, after a difficult battle with diabetes.  Wayne was born September 8, 1938, to Warren and Rose Coon, who opened and owned Coon's Machine Shop in Rapid City.  Wayne met and married Etta Mae Carter in Fort Bragg, NC, and went on to have three children: Michael Wayne, Samuel Warren, and Laurie Jane.  Wayne and Etta divorced in the 70s, and Etta remarried Russell Thomas Barnett. Wayne allowed Russell to adopt all three children and for them to take Russell's last name.

Wayne joined the US Army on his 17th birthday in 1955, where he trained and served first as a Wheel Vehicle Mechanic, then got his silver wings and joined the 82nd Airborne Infantry Division. Wayne was discharged from the Army in 1958.  He joined the South Dakota National Guard 216th Ordnance Company in Rapid City on September 25, 1958.  Wayne was appointed Warrant Officer 1.  He remained in the 216th until 1968.  He was a CW2 when he accepted a job in 1968 as a military contractor in Vietnam, which resulted in his Honorable Discharge from the SDNG.

Throughout his life and with the influences of his grandparents, parents, children, and friends, Wayne loved to work with his hands.  He also loved to travel whenever possible and had an adventurous and entrepreneurial spirit.  He moved to San Diego, CA, to help build a nuclear power plant, then opened Classic Bath and Kitchen Dimensions remodeling. Wayne loved rock collecting, woodworking, and motorcycles.  Wayne moved back to Rapid City in the 90s to care for his aging parents, opened the Rock Shop in Rapid City, and then moved it to Scenic, SD.

Calling Wayne, a social butterfly is an understatement.  Wayne's family have been in South Dakota for generations, and he maintained friendships formed in childhood throughout his life. Wherever he went, he made new friends and told stories and had adventures.  Wayne even had an autobiography written, so that others could learn of his accomplishments.  Later in life, Wayne found his way to Jesus Christ.  While he certainly did all things in his own way and his own time, we are all grateful that our Father in Heaven has Wayne in His loving arms now.

Wayne was preceded by his grandparents, Sam and Grace Coon; parents, Warren (d. 2003) and Rose (d. 2002) Coon; sisters, Phyllis and Bonnie; ex-wife, Etta Mae (Carter) Barnett (d. 2002); and son, Michael Wayne Coon/Barnett (d. 2002).

He is survived by son, Samuel Warren Coon/Barnett; and daughter, Laurie Jane (Fred) Eisenbraun; 8 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.

Services will be conducted at the Black Hills National Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. on July 12, 2022. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Wounded Warrior Project or the charity of your choice.

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