Gary Walter Koontz

Gary Walter Koontz was born to George and Marjorie Koontz on February 11th, 1939 in Ottumwa, Iowa. His sister, Marcia, was born on his 11th birthday, and she enjoyed her big brother. He was mischievous and fun, and enjoyed teasing his little sister, whom he called, "Brat". But even though he was much older, he loved spending time with her, even bringing her along on an occasional date. He was a fun-loving kid and his friends would come over often, or they would hang out at the Canteen, a popular loose-meat burger place in Ottumwa.

Gary loved fishing even as a boy, an interest that would become a passion. He played Hawaiian guitar, drums and golf in high school, setting the course record at his home golf course. He even briefly considered going pro. Immediately following his high school graduation, Gary packed up and moved from Iowa to Seattle. His family decided to follow him shortly afterward. Gary enrolled at Seattle University and joined the Army ROTC.

One fateful day, his car was being repaired, so he was forced to take the bus, where he met the girl he was destined to marry. She lived on the same street, but they had never met. Brenda and Gary wed in June of 1961, the start of a 55-year marriage.

He received a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Seattle U and entered the Army stationed at Fort Hood, TX following a brief stint at Fort Benning, GA. Gary served in the infantry and was honorably discharged in 1964 with the rank of Captain. He returned to Seattle and started his insurance career with New York Life Insurance Company.

Gary was a natural salesman and competitive at everything he did. Whenever there was a trip to award within his company, he would work hard to make sure he would win it. His infectious smile, confident personality and good humor served him well in the insurance business, and led to an adventurous lifestyle that he shared with his wife and family.

He loved to travel, but Gary’s obsession for fishing was most evident to everyone who knew him. Even in fishing, his competitive nature came out. He usually caught the first, the most, and the biggest fish, but he truly loved to share the experience with others. Fishing wasn’t ever relaxing for Gary, and it was only really fun when it included “catching”. If you ever went with him, you admired how hard he worked at it. Like most things in his life, he succeeded at it because of his dedication to doing it well.

A devoted family man, his children fondly remember Friday nights as “Get Into Things” nights where the family would spend the evening together eating junk food and doing something fun as a family. Boating on the “Full House” was a common weekend and summer activity. Every year he managed to load a family of seven onto his 26 foot Tollycraft for a couple weeks of boat camping in the San Juans, Canadian Gulf Islands or Desolation sound.

Spending time at his beach house on Whidbey Island was a favorite retreat, and he loved to get up early to catch salmon and set crab pots before an afternoon nap in the hammock. He loved a good western or military movie, enjoyed a well-written book and appreciated a great meal. He had a particular affection for small dogs and babies. He would stop complete strangers just to see if he could get a giggle out of the baby or get their little dog all wound up to play.

In 1991, Gary was invited to come to a Christian Business Men’s Connection (CBMC) meeting, where his heart was touched by the Holy Spirit and he committed to following and serving his Savior, Jesus Christ. His newfound sense of purpose and service to God changed him profoundly. He became active with CBMC, and Overlake Christian Church in Bible Study and missions to China. Of all his successes, his greatest sense of purpose and accomplishment came from his involvement in serving in Christian ministry and challenging others to come to a saving faith in Jesus.

Gary and Brenda moved from their Bellevue home to Monroe, WA in August of 2013 to be nearer to his children and grandchildren. Shortly afterward, complications from diabetes and dementia began to take their toll on his body and his mind, but his demeanor was upbeat even as he recognized the situation he was facing. In March of this year, he was moved to the Royal Anne Senior Living home in Bothell where he received skilled and loving care until he passed quickly and quietly in the middle of the night on September 10, 2016, the day that he had planned to celebrate Brenda’s birthday.

We will all miss Gary’s stories, his humor, his candor, his smiling eyes, and his presence in our lives. We also know that he would want each of us to be reunited in heaven and he would insist that the message today is focused on making sure that each of us is ready for that day.

Gary is survived by his wife Brenda, his children Michael, Tim, Kim, Michele and Tina and his eight grandchildren, Tyler, Tiffany, Tiana, Cody, Nicolas, Shyla, Savannah, and Kiara, and his sister, Marcia Balyeat.