Ralph William Coen

Funeral services for Ralph William Coen, 90, of Skiatook, OK, were held Thursday, June 1, 2023, at Community of Christ Church in Sperry, OK. Alane King, Dave King, John King and Will King officiated, and burial was in Rest Haven Cemetery in Sperry, OK. Casket bearers were David Jobe, John King, Brennon Wilson, Dalton King, Michael Beaird, and Larry Hickman.

Ralph was born September 28, 1932, in Rolla KS, to Edgar Gordon “EG” Coen and Rena (Boicourt) Coen. He passed from this Earthly life to his eternal home on May 27, 2023, in Skiatook, OK.

Ralph started school in Rolla, KS. Then they relocated to Wilburton, KS where he completed his elementary school years. After moving to Ford Place north of Wilburton, Ralph found himself responsible for getting the cows in, where twin brothers, Floyd and Lloyd would milk them. Later, the family moved to Elkart, KS where Ralph graduated from high school in 1950. Three years later, Ralph married the love of his life, Darlene Ruth Hardie on June 7, 1953. Not long after he and Darlene were married, Ralph received a letter in the mail from his friends and neighbors that they had chosen him to join the Army. He always wanted to know who those friends and neighbors were. He was active duty for two years in Germany, and then served in the reserves. He received his honorable discharge in August of 1961. After Ralph’s time in the service, he returned home and went to work for the Panhandle Eastern Pipeline for 30 years. He worked as a welder, X-Ray Technician, an inspector, and a landman. He retired from Panhandle Eastern Engineering Department in 1987 and moved to Sperry, OK to be near his in-laws, Ralph and Beulah Hardie. During those 30 years, Ralph and Darlene completed their family when they adopted two sons, Charley in 1968 and Chris in 1971. Their home and arms were always open to children in need as they parented over 103 foster children.  Ralph loved to weld. He made fences, cookers, yard ornaments, and whatever needed to be welded. He was the proudest of his flagpoles, including the three in front of the church. After 9-11 and the patriotic surge to follow, he made a couple dozen flag poles he and Bill installed them. Ralph would pick up scrap metal while he was out on his pipeline jobs and use the scraps for his creations. He didn’t realize his hobby was so expense until he retired from the pipeline. When Ralph was 16, he became a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, now known as the Community of Christ Church. He was ordained to the office of Deacon in 1950 and as an Elder in 1975 where he served for many years.

Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Chris Coen and partner, Robert of San Antonio, TX; daughter-in-law, Lori Coen of Chickasha; grandchildren, Jimmy and wife, Meagan, Dusty, Jana, Jessica, Racheal and husband, Brennon, and Nick and wife, Kelsey; seven great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Bill Hardie of Skiatook, and John and wife, Sharon of Lyons, KS; numerous nieces and nephews; caregiver, DaLonna Hanlin; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Darlene; son, Charlie Coen; granddaughter, Brittany; parents, EG and Rena Coen; brothers, Verl and wife Ethel, Marion and wife, Velma, Richard and wife, Pauline, Dale and wife, Bonnie, Lloyd and wife, Micheline, Floyd and wife, Maxine; twin sister, Rena Marie; and in-laws, Ralph and Beulah Hardie.

Memorial donations in Ralph's memory may be made to The Journey Home, 900 NE Washington Blvd, Bartlesville, OK 74006.

Arrangements and services were entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home, Sperry.

Online condolences to the family can be made at johnsonsperry.com.