Rex B Hoon

Rex Boyce Hoon, 93, New Concord, Ohio died peacefully Thursday April 9th, 2015 at home. A loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, war hero, football coach, teacher, volunteer, philanthropist, music lover, outdoor and travel enthusiast, and friend to many.

Rex was born in Bloomfield, Muskingum County, Ohio April 30 1921 to the late John Rushy and Alta Elizabeth (Evans) Hoon. Rex and his family moved to New Concord in 1923. He was a 1939 New Concord High School graduate. He earned his BA degree from Muskingum College and a Master’s degree from Purdue University.

Rex served our country in World War II as an army rifleman from May 1943 until October 1945. He was a decorated member of the “Fighting 36th”, Company F, 141st Regiment, 36th Infantry Division which saw extensive action in Italy and France. He was awarded the Purple Heart as a result of being hit by shrapnel from a German tank at Campagnatico, Italy June 17th 1944. He was honored with the Bronze star for action in Velletri, Italy. On July 29, 2009, Rex received the Chevalier (Knight) of the Legion of Honor Award that pays tribute to the soldiers who fought in WWII to liberate France.

Rex served as head football, head basketball and head track coach at Cincinnati Greenhills High School from 1948 to 1955. He was the head football, assistant basketball, and golf coach at Coshocton High School from 1955 to 1959. He served as Assistant Football and Track Coach at Canton McKinley High School from 1959-1961. He taught Health and Physical Education along with his coaching assignments, served as Intramurals director, and as a Community-Schools liaison during his 32 years of Public Education. He retired from the Canton City Schools in 1977.

In retirement, Rex stayed active and was always on-the-go. He enjoyed supporting John Glenn High School and Muskingum University Athletic teams, being a member of the JG 200 Club, volunteering at “The Wilds”, traveling, and family gatherings. He and his wife Joan moved from Canton back to his childhood home, New Concord, in 1995. They are active members of New Concord United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife Joan Spillman Hoon, to whom he was married August 11, 1951; sons and daughters-in-law Jeffrey and Patricia Hoon of Lafayette IN, Greg and Sandra Hoon of Middleburg Heights OH; eight grandchildren, Vincent Hoon, Matthew Hoon, Deborah Hoon Kurtz (Tim), Juli Hoon, Mikella Hoon, Logan Hoon, Kristina Hoon, Kendall Hoon; sister Dorothy Hoon Shepherd; brothers in law Frank Wright, John William Spillman; sister-in-law Rachel (Spillman) Sweeney and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Deborah Cay Hoon, brother Sterling Evans Hoon, sisters Evangeline (Hoon) Shooter, Alice Ruth (Hoon) Wright,

brothers in law Howard Shooter, Lloyd P. Shepherd, Howard Bigony, Charles F. Spillman, William E. Green; sisters-in law Leah (Spillman) Bigony, Louanna (Spillman) Green, Elnora Hoon, Glenna Spillman, Gladys I. Spillman and Freda Maxine (McCune) Spillman .

Friends and family may attend calling hours for Rex on Monday, April 13th at the Farus Funeral Home of New Concord from 4 to 8PM.  Services will be held on Tuesday, April 14th at the New Concord United Methodist Church, 20 E High St, New Concord, OH at 11AM, with Reverend Karen Graham officiating.  Friends may visit ½ hour prior to services.  Burial will immediately follow at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions in Rex’s name may be made to: the Athletic Fund Muskingum University, 163 Stormont Street, New Concord OH 43762; The Wilds 14000 International Road, Cumberland OH 43732; New Concord United Methodist Church 20 East High Street New Concord; or, the New Concord Fire Department.  The family would like to express their appreciation to the New Concord Fire Department, and Genesis Hospice for their sympathy, kindness, and assistance these past months.

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