Rev. Alvin Coon

Alvin Coon was born April 2, 1929 in Clairton, Pennsylvania. He was the eldest son of the late Ora Lee Johnson Coon and Calvin Coon. He was baptized at the Mt. Olive First Baptist Church in Clairton, PA and was an active church member since the age of 12. He served as president of the Young Adult Ushers; worked with the Missionaries; sang in the choirs. He was Assistant Superintendent of the Sunday School and was secretary of the Deacon Board for five years. He graduated from Clairton High School. Alvin was drafted into the United States Army and served during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. United States Steel in Clairton employed him from 1948 to 1978. He retired after thirty (30) years of service. Alvin married Wilma White Coon on August 12, 1955. He referred to her lovingly as his "Queen Bee". On January 1, 1967 he awakened his wife and told her about the vision that God had called him to preach. He received his license to preach May 21, 1967. His ordination was May 31, 1968 and he was installed as a pastor of Morning Star Baptist Church in Scottsdale, PA on July 14, 1968. He was the pastor for 8 1/2 years. He assumed pastoral duties January 23, 1977 at St. John The Evangelist Baptist Church in Hazelwood, PA. Pastor Coon graduated from the American Baptist Theological Seminary and The Reformed Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, PA. He also attended classes at the Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute at the Pittsburgh Theological seminary. He was affiliated and sometimes served as an officer of the Baptist Ministers Conference, Allegheny Union Baptist Association, Foreign Mission Bureau of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. Pittsburgh and Vicinity, National Baptist Congress of Christian Education. He also served on the Committee to elect the late Byrd Brown for Mayor of Pittsburgh in 1989. Pastor Coon received an award for outstanding support to the Foreign Mission. Rev. Ronald King Hill, Executive Director, Baptist Foreign Mission Bureau, USA Incorporated, presented this award at the Sunday morning service of February 18, 1990 at St. John The Evangelist Baptist Church. Pastor Coon has received much recognition and numerous awards throughout the years, but he remained a humble man. Pastor Coon has always set a good example as a man, husband, father, grandfather,father in law, friend and pastor. He lived what he preached. He retired on October 31, 2015 and was made Pastor Emeritus. He has shared his time, strength, wisdom and love. He shared the very best with us. He is preceded in death by his brother Alfred Coon; his wife Minister Wilma Coon on August 6, 2009, sister Shirley Jean King on January 23, 2018. Pastor Coon went home to Glory on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 3:25pm at Canterbury Place Hospice in Lawrenceville, PA. He leaves to cherish their memories 2 daughters and 2 sons in law Candace (Candie) Jiles and Anthony (Tony) Jiles; Eloise (Shelly) King and Martin King; 2 sons and 2 daughters in law Alvin (Gordy) Coon and Stacey Coon, Reverend Travis Coon and Margo Coon; 9 grandchildren Ward (Tony) Coon, Travis Coon, Dominic King, Rhayna Coon, LaTasha Coon Young, and Reverend Loren Young, Courtnie Coon, Tierra Banks and Martin L. King; 7 great grandchildren; Zyair Coon, Madison Young, Mya Young, Tristian and Trace Banks; Ila and Mila King; 1 brother and 1 sister in law Dr. William Coon and Dr. Yvonne Coon; 2 sisters Asaline Peterson and Robbie Lester; 1 brother in law Bernard A. King; 1 goddaughter Brittany Brown, nieces, nephews, cousins, his brst friend Rev. Williams Mathews, many other friends, and the St. John The Evangelistic Baptist Church family.

Tributes

Rev. Alvin Coon

April 2, 1929 - July 10, 2018