Jerry Koonce

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Jerry Koonce05/04/2014
Jerry Lloyd Koonce, 71, of Seminole Florida, died Sunday, May 4th at home.

Jerry was born to the late Ethel (Harvey) Koonce and Lloyd Koons on August 12, 1942, in Knoxville, Iowa. In grade school, his teacher wasn’t sure he was being truthful when he told her he was adopted by Clayton Koonce and needed to change his last name from Koons to Koonce.

Jerry attended Knoxville High School and later earned an Associate of Science Degree in Physical Therapy from DeAnza Community College in Cupertino, CA.

After enlisting and serving in Germany in the Army from 1960 to 1963, he returned to Iowa where he was reintroduced to Charlene Emanuel, the little sister of his friend, Andy Emanuel. He was amazed at how she had changed in those three years, emerging from a nuisance into the person he wanted as his wife. Their life together took them throughout the United States before they eventually retired in Seminole, FL.

Some who knew him in his youth saw him headed in the wrong direction, but Jerry proved any doubters wrong. He assumed a lot of responsibility at an early age and was determined to make his way through life, living it his way. He spent that short time in the Army before settling into a career with the Navy. He retired as a Chief Hospital Corpsman in 1980 after 22 years of military service.

He served with honor in the Vietnam War spending time serving as “Doc” with the US Marine Corps. He earned numerous awards and medals for his service. Jerry followed his military service by working for state health departments in Iowa, Kansas, and Tennessee before officially retiring in Florida in 2002.

At work or in his personal life, words like “can’t” were taken as a challenge. Jerry used his time to the fullest; whether skydiving, riding anything from bulls to motorcycles, Shrine activities, or fishing for halibut in the Bering Sea. His interests were as varied as the places he lived.

Jerry is survived by Charlene, and their two grown children, Marlana (Eric) Schnell of Urbandale, and Clayton Koonce of Wichita, KS. He also leaves behind four granddaughters who will miss his silly antics and sense of adventure.

Jerry has 3 siblings, Rexford (Rebecca) Koonce from Indianola, IA; Judy (Edward) Hines; of Springfield, MO, and John Koonce, also his Navy shipmate, of Newton, IA.

Jerry leaves behind a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and loved ones who never tired of reading his entertaining annual Christmas letter.

Jerry loved to travel. What he started in Germany with the Army and several Navy tours of duty, he continued with Charlene. In the past decade, they have traveled to Asia, Europe, Panama, Honduras, New Zealand, Australia, and numerous islands. Charlene always thought he had one trip left in him, but it turns out that trip was a solo journey, soaring with the eagles.

A man much larger than his size, he walked as the leader among family and friends.

Jerry has been cremated and his remains will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery in Alexandria, VA at a later date.

Rather than mourning him, please cherish the good memories and, if possible, join the family in a Celebration of Life which will be held at 1-5 pm, Sunday, May 11 at Cobblestone Inns and Suites, Eric Dr., Knoxville, IA.
Jerry Koonce
He would much rather you have a toast and a laugh than shed tears over his death.

If you wish to make a remembrance, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

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