Robert J. "Bob" Coney 1937 - 2017

CONEY, FREEMAN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/18/2017 at 22:46:14

Sioux City Journal
4 August 2017

Sioux City

Robert J. "Bob" Coney, 80, of Sioux City, passed away in his sleep Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2017, at his residence.

A celebration of life service will be 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City.

Bob was born on Jan. 17, 1937, in Sioux City, to Robert E. and Dolores E. Coney. He attended Sioux City schools and was a third generation U.S. Navy veteran.

He married Patricia E. Freeman in February 1961 and remained married until her passing in 2011. They had four sons, Bob Jr., Jim, Doug, and John. Bob owned and operated many car and motorcycle dealerships around the Siouxland area over the decades.

From his childhood years around his father's Westside Service Station, to his final years, Bob's life revolved around his family, motorized vehicles, and racing. Bob was an avid Hot Rodder, and an early member of the Sioux City car club, The Strollers. The Strollers brought drag racing from the dangerous days of street racing, to one of the first 12 NHRA sanctioned drag strips in the nation, located at the Sioux City Airport grounds in the late 1950s. He later went on to manage and co-own the track until 1971. After ending his driving career with wins in three divisions at the 1961 Iowa State championship drag races, Bob went on to own teams in drag, dirt track, and motorcycle racing. Over the years, his team consisted of many Siouxland area top drivers and riders at the controls. He was always happiest when he was around other racing people.

Survivors include his sons, Bob Jr. and his wife, Julie, Jim, and Doug, all of Sioux City, and John and his wife, Chris of Carlisle, Iowa; grandchildren, Erin, Dylan, Bobby, and Abby; brother, Don Coney and his family from Aurora, Mo.; sisters, Janet McAlpine and Carol Nearman and their families of Reno, Nev.; and his special friend, Brenda Vaughn.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Dolores; his wife, Patricia; and his sister, Joan.