Vernon "Cañon" R. Coy

Vernon Richard Coy left Earth in his wake on October 13, 2026, leaving behind a legacy as a creative dreamer, beloved storyteller and traveler, soulful musician, extraordinary rock hound, and a spontaneous inventor. 

Born March 9, 1945, in Denver, Colorado, to Dorothy and Vernon Coy, he grew into his creative self on a farm in Wyoming. There, he took in his dreamlike surroundings that laid the groundwork for a life filled with beauty and joy. Coming of age during a time of immense invention and change, Cañon chose to remain his most adventurous self—and an all-around big kid—for most of his 81 years. He promised to finally “grow up” when he turned 50, and though a valiant effort was made, Cañon eventually settled into the comfortable truth that he was at his best when simply being himself. There was no reason to grow up just because he happened to be a few decades into adulthood! 

Lovingly referred to as Cañon, an ode to his time spent in the Sierra Madres, he traveled through life playing guitar, singing songs, spinning yarns, and bringing joy to every part of the world lucky enough to be explored by his wondrous appreciation for all living things. He delighted in watching the natural rhythm of the world. Whether it was the flow of a stream, a child figuring out how to maneuver gracefully (or not!), or a unique stone carved out of nature’s mood swings, Cañon spent his life in admiration of the process. Whether a moment was uplifting or challenging, he always found a way to appreciate the journey. 

He deeply enjoyed both teaching and learning from those he met along the way. For Cañon, collaboration was the highest form of togetherness, which happened to be his very favorite thing. He brought an infectious whimsy to every gathering, delighting those blessed with his company.

A man of boundless curiosity, Cañon worked and played in nearly every field imaginable. He championed roles ranging from welder to beekeeper, radio personality to builder of homes and spaces, "rocket surgeon” to tree-planting and agricultural extraordinaire, a real-life MacGyver, and even the ringmaster of an artist lead carnival that danced through the streets of his beloved Montreal. Of all his titles, his very best roles were those of Dad and Grandpa. 

Cañon was preceded in death by his daughter, Evangeline; his parents, Dorothy and Vernon; siblings Sandra and David; and his longtime love, Patricia Kaler. His presence will be deeply missed by his brothers, Ennis, Michael (Donna), and Kenny, and by his chorus of nieces and nephews. He is remembered with immense love by his children, Bluet, Tom, Ava, and Mattie. His grandchildren Hamish, Casiah, Aleja, Veda, Vera, Gwyneth, Nathaniel, and Amethyst—will no doubt hear legendary stories of their "Grand Cañon’s" many adventures and beautiful eccentricities. His close friends were the frequent, loving subjects of his humorous anecdotes, and long after many memories had begun to fade, they were held close in his heart. Whenever life presented an unexpected turn, he would remind us, “You’ll have that, as my friend Rick would say!” 

Today, great solace is found in thinking of Cañon exploring the ultimate unknown, undoubtedly inventing new ways to remind his loved ones that this distance is an illusion, and just like the rocky treasures he gathered from the earth: we are all organic matter that breaks apart, settles, and ultimately sticks together with a love that spans galaxies, enduring and living on no matter what.