Joe was born in Malvern, Iowa to Everett and Beatrice (Laws) Coons July 1, 1940. When Joe was in third grade, the family moved to Glenwood where Joe graduated from Glenwood High School in 1958. Joe was an outstanding athlete participating in football, basketball and track. His love of sports and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim continued throughout his lifetime. Being a huge fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, earned him the nickname “Hawkeye” by his colleagues. Joe worked his way through Omaha University by giving guitar lessons at Waller Music in Council Bluffs and Hospe’s in Omaha. After moving to southern California, he continued giving guitar lessons and played lead guitar in a rock band, regularly performing at the Sea Witch in Hollywood and other Orange County venues. He became good friends with others in the music business, including Leo Fender, the Lettermen and Jan and Dean. Joe and Susan Wells were married September 10, 1966. To this union a daughter, Suzanne, and a son, Christopher was born. Joe put his Fender guitar away and began working as a design engineer for Interstate Electronics and later at North American Aviation where he helped with the design of defense projects such as the Minute Man missile. He eventually switched careers to the automotive business, working his way up the ranks to owning or managing several franchises, including Porsche/Audi, Mitsubishi and Toyota. He was held in high regard by his customers and colleagues for his honesty and sense of fairness. Joe retired in 2002, eight years after losing Susan to cancer in 1994. Joe enjoyed traveling and spending time at his mountain cabin at Big Bear Lake. Joe was preceded in death by Susan, his parents, brother Charles (Bud) Coons, sister and brother-in-law, Pat and Gary Doerr, a niece and a nephew. He is survived by his son Christopher, daughter Suzanne , grandson, Vincent Williams, and a host of relatives and friends in southern California and Glenwood. His love of life, quick wit and kindness will be sorely missed by all who knew him.