A light to all.

That’s the description family and friends of Ty Coone, 21, keep coming back to when describing the 2022 Sequim High School graduate.

“Ty was the light that went into every room,” his mom Michele Scott Duncan said in an interview.

“He was happy, generous, funny. He had such a unique spirit about him.”

A Sequim resident most of his life, Coone was an avid fisherman, even considering becoming a part-time fishing guide, his mom said.

While fishing in the afternoon of May 13 north of Cline Spit in Dungeness, Coone made a 911 distress call fearing he’d drown. There was a Small Craft Advisory during the incident with high winds and waves. The Coast Guard initiated a search and rescue operation by air and boat, and the Sheriff’s Office deployed a drone with infrared thermal imaging. Their search was suspended at 10 a.m. the next day.

Coone’s kayak, life vest and paddle were found, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office reported.

His family and friends, lighthouse keepers, park staff and personnel from Clallam County Fire District 3 continued a ground search for Coone that day.

He was believed to be wearing a hoodie, rain gear, a backpack, and possibly waders, a hat and sunglasses. Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe staff who operate the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge said they’ll continue to look for him when they go out on the Dungeness Spit.

Scott Duncan said she encourages people to be on the lookout when they’re along local shorelines.

Chels Botero, Coone’s cousin, wrote via email that she hopes he is found so their family can have closure.

“We are devastated. This is a tragic loss for our family!” she said.

“He was the kindest, funniest kid you’ll ever meet; always happy-go-lucky.”

Anyone with information on Coone’s whereabouts can contact the Coast Guard via VHF Channel 16 or by calling 911.

Services, benches

Coone’s family is moving forward with a memorial service for him at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 31 at Sequim Community Church, 950 N. Fifth Ave.

A Celebration of Life is set for 7 p.m. Saturday, June 14 at the big barn at 702 Kitchen-Dick Road in Sequim, with music, food and a slideshow.

Scott Duncan is also planning to commission two benches to be made in her son’s honor – a concrete or hardy plank bench for Voice of America Park, and a cedar bench for her home at 41 Fergy Lane in Sequim where family and friends can remember him.

She’ll use donations via Venmo — venmo.com/Michele-Scott-78 — or via checks sent to her home address for the benches.

Photo courtesy Michele Scott Duncan/ Ty Coone was born on St. Patrick’s Day, and his mom Michele Scott Duncan said he was always her lucky charm. “He lived every day to the fullest,” she said. “There wasn’t a day that went by that Ty wasn’t doing something. He lived a full life. He never let anything keep him from doing what he loved.”

More about Ty

Born on St. Patrick’s Day, Scott Duncan said her son was always her lucky charm.

“He lived every day to the fullest,” she said. “There wasn’t a day that went by that Ty wasn’t doing something. He lived a full life. He never let anything keep him from doing what he loved.”

Botero said everyone should take note from Coone “on how to make the most of our time here.”

Growing up, he loved football, wrestling, baseball, skateboarding, and motocross.

Coone left Sequim to attend the The Motorcycle Mechanics Institute in Arizona to learn to work on quads, small engines, and motorcycles. He had just moved back to Sequim in February.

“(Ty) was a unique spirit,” his mom said. “Everyone loved him. He made everyone feel included and loved. He never left anyone out.”

She said classmates in Arizona told her he changed their lives.

Scott Duncan hosted a gathering for family and friends because she knew others were in pain because of how much they loved her son, too.

“Everywhere he went, he made friends,” she said.

Coone also “helped others be lifted from pain and darkness,” Scott Duncan said.

“All walks of life were drawn to Ty and he didn’t just attract one group of people — he loved everyone.”

He is also survived by an older brother Billy. Scott Duncan said they are very close, and they referred to each other as “Big Brother” and “Little Brother.”

As for her son’s name – Ty Coone – she said his dad Brad Coone told her “’if I’m having a son, I want to name him Ty.’”

“It fit him, because Ty was so unique,” Scott Duncan said.

“He was a beautiful person.”