Vernon Eugene "Coon" Adams, 86, of Kiowa, passed away Thursday, May 18, 2023 in Atoka.  Viewing will be Sunday from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Funeral services will be Monday, May 22, at 2:00 p.m. at the Kiowa United Methodist Church, with pastor Jim Ray officiating.  Burial will follow at Pleasant Valley Cemetery.  Pallbearers are Jimmy Doyle, Mark Adams, Larry Green, Nathan McKee, James McKee, and Heath McKee.  Honorary pallbearers are Mike Kellogg, Tony Adams, Jeff Adams, Rodney Doyle, Mike Doyle, Leon Broyles, and Chris Clements.

Vernon "Coon" Adams was born on August 27, 1936 in Hominy, Oklahoma to Rolla Vernon Adams and Ethel Lee (Bronner) Adams.  He grew up in the Perry, Okla. area and joined the U.S. Navy right out of school.  Soon after receiving his honorable discharge, he moved to the McAlester area in the 1960's and has lived here ever since.  He married Jean Doyle on April 23, 1976 and they made their home near Kiowa for many years.  Coon had learned the machinist trade right out of the service, then went to work at the Army Ammunition Plant as a machinist, retiring as machine shop supervisor.  After his retirement he spent the next years working with his cattle on the ranch, hunting, and fishing.  He also had a knack for fixing things.  He could fix just about anything that needed fixing and was more than willing to help anyone who needed something done.

Coon is survived by his wife, Jean Adams; 3 daughters, Kim Clift and husband Bob, Donna Jean  Powell and husband Melvin, and Rainia June Burch and husband Allen; 7 grandchildren and several great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Ceawilla Green and Shirley McKee and husband Jim; and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Lester Lee Adams, and 2 sisters, Venita Clements and Wanda Marie Broyles.