Staff Sergeant Michael Keith Coon was born on June 23, 1982 to Michael Dennis Coon and Louise Bolin in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He departed on his final journey Wednesday, September 23, 2015 in El Paso, Texas. Keith graduated from Jenks High School and attended Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology in Okmulgee before enlisting in the United States Army. Like his grandfather and father before him, Keith was an infantryman. Together, they comprised three generations serving our great country. Keith proudly served in the Army for 10 years, doing his basic training at Fort Benning. Keith s grandfather Phillip Coon was a Bataan Death March Survivor of World War II and his dad Michael Coon was an army paratrooper in the 18th Airborne Corp. During his military career, Keith was stationed at Fort Irwin, Fort Riley, and Fort Bliss. He was de ployed in 2009 to Bayi, Iraq as a Machine Gunner A Co, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment. In 2012, he was deployed to Ghazzi, Afghanistan as Infantry Team Leader A Co, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment. In 2015, he served in Djibouti, Africa as Squad Leader A Co, 1st Battalion, 77th Armored Regiment. A decorated soldier, Keith received four Army/Commendation Medals, seven Army/Achievement Medals, three Army/Good Conduct Medals, A National Defense Service Medal, Afghan istan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Expedi tionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Korea Defense Service Medal. He also received the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Medal, Certificate of Achievement, and Combat Infantry Badge. Keith enjoyed sports. He loved playing baseball and football. He especially enjoyed watching his favorite football teams: the University of Oklahoma Sooners and Oakland Raiders. Keith participated in Tae Kwan Do at Conn s and was a second-degree black belt. One of his favorite pastimes included playing video games for days with his brother Jeremy. Additionally, he loved grilling outside and spending time with family and friends. A member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Keith is survived by his wife Megan and his three sons Dalton, Nokose, and Wahaya Coon, and stepdaughter Kaydence Sproul. He is also survived by his father Michael Coon; brother Jeremy Coon and sister-in-law Jennifer; nieces he considered sisters Summer, Autumn, Raven, and Sky Herrod; cousin he considered a brother Robert Coffey; numerous aunts and uncles, numerous nieces and nephews, and brothers in arms. Michael Keith was preceded in death by mother Louise Waw, grandparents John and Jennie Bolin, grandparents Helen and Phillip Coon, and sister Teri Lynn Herrod. Wednesday, September 30, 2015 Prayer Service will be held at 7 pm at Smith Funeral Chapel, 1208 S Main St, Sapulpa, OK. Wake service at 7 pm on Thursday, October 1, 2015 with Funeral services to be held at 10 am on Friday, October 2, 2015 both at Okmulgee First Baptist Church, 110 W 5th St, Okmulgee, OK 74447. Interment to follow at Ft. Gibson National Cemetery at 1 pm, Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Smith Funeral Home, 1208 S Main St, Sapulpa, OK.