Richard Don Coan

Richard Don Coan

(1938-2026)

He lived a wonderful, adventurous life.

He loved so many and was loved so much.

He departed this life to begin a new one.

Don moved to Stephenville in 1968 with his wife, Suzanne (Susie) Stone Coan (d. 2005) and their young son, Steve. They then welcomed their daughter, Leslie, and later, a special daughter, Lucía of Madrid, Spain.

Don was a UT Law School alumnus who served in the United States Army as an Artilleryman during the Cold War and later in the Active Reserves. He was a practicing lawyer for 50 years, former President of the Foundation Board of Tarleton State University, he was on the Board of Directors for United Telephone of Texas and then Sprint, he was a Stephenville Optimist auctioneer, Sunday school leader, hiker, scout leader, carpenter, artist, reader, rancher, and most importantly, a God-fearing husband, father, and friend.

Those who survive are his wife, Veleda Boyd; son, Steve Coan and his wife, Jill; daughter, Leslie Coan Rocha and her husband, Kevin; daughter Lucía Hernandez Lopez de Castro and her husband, Nicolás; step-sons, Jeff Boyd and his wife, Jennifer, and Chad Boyd and his wife, Amy; and sister, Benni. He also leaves behind 13 precious grandchildren: Christopher, Grace, Benjamin, Joshua, and Caleb; step-grandchildren Christian, Mariah, Thomas, and Elisabeth; as well as Sofía, Carmen, Nicolás, and Lucía of Spain.

He departed this world peacefully at home in the respect, admiration, and love of many friends, family, and beloved companions.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Lloyd Pershing and Flossie B Coan; wife, Suzanne (Susie) Stone Coan; brother, David; sister, Joan.

Following a private family burial, a memorial service and celebration of life will be held at the Stephenville Funeral Home in Stephenville, TX on Friday, June 5 at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute (CDRI) located at 43869 TX-118, Fort Davis, TX 79734—one of Don’s special interests later in his life—or to the charity of your choice.