Thomas R Koonce - Obituary
Thomas R. Koonce
CASTOR, LA - Funeral services for Thomas R. Koonce, 80, of Castor, LA will be held Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at Rockett Funeral Home Chapel in Ringgold, LA.
Graveside services will follow at 3:30 p.m. at Old Town Cemetery in Haynesville, LA. Officiating will be Bro. Jerry Hodge and Bro. Earl Hartsell. Visitation will be Monday, March 2, 2009 at Rockett Funeral Home from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Thomas was born July 20, 1928 in Castor, LA and slipped away quietly during the early morning of February 28, 2009 in Shreveport, LA.
After graduating from Castor High School, he served in the United States Air Force. When he returned home, he worked with his father and brother in the family construction business and carried that business forward after his father retired. Countless homes, commercial buildings, and many churches that were built by Koonce Construction are scattered throughout north Louisiana. In the last few years, Thomas, assisted by his building supervisor and son, Jimmy D. Stewart, concentrated on building churches. One church is currently under construction with two more pending.
While Thomas was actively involved in his businesses, he was also active in his community, church, and caring for his wife. He was a member of the Ringgold church of Christ. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and his many acts of kindness.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry R. and Susie Lee Koonce; and a grandson, Trey Bedingfield.
Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Jo Robbins Koonce of Castor, LA; sons, Raymond Koonce and his wife, Beverly of Tyler, TX, Steve Koonce and his wife, Robbie of Houston, TX, Don Koonce of Seattle, WA, Tommy Stewart and his wife, Ginger of Natchitoches, LA, and Jimmy Stewart and Felicia Daniel of Castor, LA; daughters, Liz Bedingfield and her husband, Jimmy of Bossier City, LA and Jodi Stewart and her husband, Mark of Flower Mound, TX; brother, Jack Koonce and his wife, Koko of Castor, LA; sisters, Marjorie McInnis of Shreveport, LA and Mary K. Hamner of Castor, LA; grandchildren, Barrett Bedingfield, Brad Stewart, Jay Stewart, Sherrie S.Woods, Rachael S. Wallace, Drew Stewart, Megan Stewart, and Chelsea Koslan; 8 great grandchildren; and a number of other relatives and friends.
Pallbearers will be Wayne Miles, Robert Lee, Melvin Baker, Mark Beason, Scott Lowrey, and Freddie Kelly. Rockett Funeral Home
Shreveport Times - March 2, 2009