Tony L. Koon

Tony L. Koon, 63 of North Kansas City, MO died Saturday December 9, 2023 at Claymont Group Home, his residence for more than 20 years.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday December 14, 2023, at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Kingsman, KS, with William W. Harlow officiating. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Kansas City. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Tony's residental community: TNC Community, 17601 E. Hwy, 40, Suite A, Independence, MO 64055. An online guestbook is available at. www. campbell-lewis.com

Tony was born March 23, 1960, at Grace Hospital in Hutchinson, KS the son of Clarence Leroy Koon and Erldeen "Deanie" Moody Koon.  He was 2 pounds and 13 ounces when he was born and the doctors and nurses all called him a preemie.  Shortly after, his dad decided to rejoin the Army so in November of 1960 the family moved to Killeen, TX to be with LEroy at Ft. Hood. At Ft. Hood, Tony was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and started physical therapy at the Easter Seal Center in Temple,TX.  While there, he would do daily exercises with his mom and would spend time in braces, as well as standing on tables crawlers, etc. Later, physical therapy was increased to three times a week and in May 1962 he started speech therapy. Later, they moved to Ft. Leonard Wood, MO  and lived in the country near Devil's Elbow.

On December 28, 1967, Tony enrolled at the Harry S. Truman Children's Neurological Center in Kansas City. Dr. Robert E. Bruner was the director and his wife, Viriginia, was the director of nursing. In 2000 the center changed to group homes and the named changed to TNC Community. Tony moved to the Pershing Group Home in Raytown and later moved to the Claymont Group Home in North Kansas City.  This move allowed him to be close to his buddies, Curtis and Billy, whom he had been friends with for many years.  Tony loved the family style living and the group home was always busy.  Besides the daily chores, they enjoyed going to Starlight Theater, Camp Wonderland, Worlds of Fun and the Kansas City Zoo. They celebrated all the holidays, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas with grand parties. Tony enjoyed the friendship of others, watching ballgames on TV, and listening to  gospel and country music.

On Sunday May 14, 1978, Tony was baptized by Pastor F. R. Cole at First Baptist Church in Raytown.

Tony was preceded in death by his dad, Clarence Leroy Koon; his grandparents: Earl and Clarice Moody, and Clarence and Pauline Koon; as well as several aunts and uncles.

He will be greatly missed by his mother, Erldeen "Deanie" Koon of Garden Village in North Kansas City; as well as other family members and friends.