GEORGETOWN Gearl Dee Koonce died peacefully at his home on July 20, 2023, with family by his side. He lived in the Sun City community of Georgetown and was 89 years of age. He was born on Nov. 17, 1933, in Stanton to M.L. “Red” and Reva Koonce.
He graduated from Stanton High School in 1951 and attended Schreiner College (‘51-52), Graceland College (‘5253), and Sul Ross State University (‘53-55) where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
He met Katherine Lancaster at Graceland College and they married on June 25, 1955 in Detroit, Michigan. They then lived in Puyallup, Washington from 1956-‘57 while he served in the U.S. Navy. In 1958, the couple moved to Midland where he worked for Marathon Oil Company for 38 years as an inventory management specialist. They resided in Iraan, and Houston before moving back to Midland in 1978. They remained in Midland until their move to Sun City in 1997. hey were happily married for 53 years until her death in 2008. In 2009, he married Betty Hannon from Midland and they had 14 wonderful years together with a lot of laughs and fun travels to Hawaii, Alaska, France, and the British Isles.
He was a High Priest in the Community of Christ Church, and a devoted member of the Lions Club serving as president in the local clubs in Midland and Georgetown. He was an avid golfer, had a great passion for singing, and participated in many musical activities such as the Sun City Follies, Sun City Singers, and men’s barbershop choruses. He enthusiastically loved life, was an extraordinarily generous person, and brought joy to many.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a twin brother Earl Koonce, and younger brothers Roy Koonce and Thadd Koonce.
He is survived by his wife Betty; his son Lee Gearl Koonce and wife Annie of Burleson; his daughter Barbara Helen Koonce and husband Jody Denberg of Austin; his son James Alan Koonce and wife Ann of Nashville, Tennessee; four grandchildren Andrew James Koonce and Katherine Joella Koonce of Fort Worth, and Kyle Alan Koonce and Katherine Diana Koonce of Nashville, Tennessee; and his stepchildren Ted Hannon and wife Susan of Midland, and Brenna McCurry and husband Brian of Rowlett.
A Celebration of Life will be at 2 p.m. on August 12, at Ramsey Funeral Home in Georgetown. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Graceland University, Outreach International, or ChildFund.