Michael Alan Koon
Cold War Submarine Veteran, Michael Alan Koon began his lifelong fascination with the world on Aug. 7, 1946, in Redlands, CA, the second child of Thomas D. Koon and Betty (White) Koon. Mike died December 5, 2023. He grew up in San Bernardino, CA, with older brother, Thomas Jr., and younger brother, David, and was nicknamed “Micky.”
Mike early on developed a vibrant curiosity about the natural wonders of the surrounding California desert and hills, especially butterflies and insects. School was mostly a chore but he was skilled with his hands and good at figuring out how things worked. He had a sweet and easygoing nature and affinity for people and conversation.
After graduating from San Bernardino High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy with dreams of seeing the world. He requested submarine service and was assigned to the U.S.S. Tiru, a WWII-era diesel sub that carried a nuclear torpedo in its arsenal. The fascinating story of the Tiru’s running aground on a reef off the coast of Australia was one he would tell throughout his life. His Navy experience also took him to The Philippines, Korea, Japan and China Lake, CA, before his honorable discharge in 1969.
Mike was married to Melanie (Lawson) Koon from 1969 to 1989. They lived in San Francisco and the San Bernardino area before his job as a machinist with Frito-Lay brought them to Vancouver, WA, where they became the proud parents of Angela, Benjamin and Katherine. Mike changed careers to repairing two-way radios, microwaves and then mainframe computer systems. After his semi-retirement in the late 90s, he had a one-man business doing home repair and improvement.
Mike was an avid hiker, walker, swimmer and sailor at various times in his life. Regular swims at Harmon Pool in Beaverton, OR, introduced him to fellow swimmer Susan (Kristof) Vanlaanen. They married in 1992 and settled in the Lincoln neighborhood of Vancouver, continuing to hike, climb mountains and travel. In 1998, they moved to a Lincoln neighborhood fixer-upper and spent the next 20 years remodeling it into a beautiful and welcoming home, largely thanks to Mike’s self-taught woodworking and construction skills.
Mike and Sue enjoyed trips throughout the United States, Europe, the Hawaiian Islands, Mexico, Panama, Colombia, New Zealand, Scotland and Alaska. Mike traveled solo in France and Spain for six weeks in 2013 to walk the Camino de Santiago. He had a deep connection to wooden boats and spent many happy hours on his beloved Pelican sailboat, “Sockeye,” on Vancouver Lake.
Mike was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2018 but continued being cared for by his family at home for three years. He was well known for his daily walks down Vancouver’s Main Street or Columbia and for his friendliness toward everyone he met. He suffered a fall in May 2021 that led to residency at The Hampton Salmon Creek memory care facility, where he lived happily until his final days. He died at Legacy Salmon Creek hospital from complications of COVID and heart disease at age 77 with his loving family gathered around him.
Mike is survived by his wife of 31 years, Sue Vanlaanen; children, Angie Major, Ben (Yamile) Koon and Katie Koon; grandchildren, Evie, Will and Luke Major; stepsons, Josh Kristof and Evan (Bernadel) Kristof; brothers, Tom Koon and Dave (Nancy) Koon; and nephew,Don Koon. Family and friends will gather for a private celebration of Mike’s life at a future date. The family would like to thank the frontline staff members at both The Hampton and Legacy Salmon Creek for their compassionate care at the end of Mike’s life.
SAILOR REST YOUR OARS