Allen Bristol Coon, Jr.

Allen Bristol Coon, Jr. died August 14, 2006. He was 85.

Allen was born in Los Angeles, California. Growing up in Pasadena, he spent his summers as a young man working on his father's orange and walnut groves and on his uncle's ranch in Prescott, Arizona as a working cowboy.

Allen loved nature, hiking, horseback riding and camping. He attended Pomona College where he studied forestry. He worked as a guide and packer in the High Sierras. He enjoyed sailing and diving for abalone with friends. He drove the California coastline in his "woody" station wagon with his handcrafted wood surfboard he made on top, looking for that perfect wave. He was a founding member of the San Onofre Surf Club, where he took part in persuading the U.S. Marine Corps to allow surfers access to the great surf spots off the coast of Camp Pendleton.

He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II as a medic aboard the U.S.S. Leonard Wood in the Pacific Theater. After the service, he worked for McDonald-Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach. He later invented the "Camp-n-Wagon" which caught the interest of the auto industry and was featured in several national magazines including the cover of Popular Science and Station Wagon Living.

He married Bernice Barbara Zynda. They settled and raised three children in the Pasadena/San Marino area, where he managed and ran his own business.

He loved music, dancing, poetry, fine art and had an appreciation for craftsmanship. He was a conservationist, environmentally conscious, believing strongly in recycling, sustainability and preservation of our natural resources.

He is survived by his wife Bernice "Bea" Coon; son Michael and wife Diane Coon of Corona del Mar; son David and wife Carrie Coon of Monterey; his daughter Marilyn Barbara and her husband Jim Cornelius of Sisters; and grandchildren Bristol, Bianca, Jonathan, Joshua and Ceili.

Memorial contributions may be made in the name of Allen Coon to: American Heart Association, 1710 Gilbreth Rd., Burlingame, CA 94010.