Trent Koontz

   Trent Koontz passed from this life on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016, at the age of 85, in Vernon, Texas. David Trent Koontz was born on Aug. 22, 1930, to Raymond and Lucille Rainwater Koontz in Oklaunion, Texas. He was raised on the farm and helped hoe weeds, chop cotton, and milk cows. He played football for the Oklaunion Cardinals and graduated in 1947.
   He married Patsy Quinn Wilkinson on Dec. 29, 1950. He worked on oil rigs, and worked for a roofing and remodeling company in Vernon, then co-owned K-C Conoco Service in Abilene before moving back to Vernon. He started working for Osborne’s in Vernon in 1961, then moved to Altus, Okla., in 1962 to manage the Osborne’s store there.
   In Altus, he was very involved in the community in Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce, and in a bowling league. He attended all his kids’ sporting events, concerts, recitals, plays, and coached Little League baseball. He was a member of the “Board Meeting” coffee club at the Altus McDonalds and in Vernon at the Christian Life Center, where they “solved all the world’s problems.”
   In 1981, he began commuting to the Vernon office of Osborne’s where he was a buyer for several more years. He retired from Osborne’s in 1996 after 35 years of hard work and excellent customer service. He maintained friendships with many customers, employees and co-workers well beyond his retirement.
   He began cleaning up and farming their land near Odell, Texas, after retirement. He maintained the exacting specifications required for Horned Lizard habitat for many years. In addition to prairie grasses, he grew alfalfa and wheat and peanuts. His latest and most proud farming moment was when the wind turbine was erected and put into service on his land.
   He and Patsy were married a total of 54 years, and they loved to travel. They would take off at a moment’s notice to explore new places. When he was a buyer for Osborne’s and going to tradeshows, he won at least two trips, one to Hawaii. He was always winning a drawing of some sort.
   As part of his workday in Vernon and Odell, he would take care of his mother-in-law and aunt who lived in Vernon. He ran their errands and took care of their house and finances.
   He was at Patsy’s side during her illness that started shortly after their 50th anniversary. After her passing, he moved back to Vernon in 2007 and was active in the First Baptist Church Sunday School, was on their building committee, and he delivered Meals on Wheels until 2013. He enjoyed being closer to and spending more time with his little brother and sister-in-law.
   He enjoyed traveling and exploring new places, Marty Robbins and Hank Williams music, John Wayne movies, coin collecting (he gave each of his grandkids a collection of the state quarters), casinos, and playing dominoes. He bowled and golfed, and shot skeet and trap, when he was younger. He enjoyed watching all sports.
   He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and an infant son, Steven in 1958. He is survived by his son, David and his wife Susie; his son, Doug and his wife Betsy; and his daughter, Kami. He is also survived by grandchildren Allison and Troy, Sarah and Elliott,; Zachary and Brittany, Katelyn; Kameron and Krista, and Grace; and great­ grandkids Lydia and Aubrey. He is also survived by his brother and favorite sister- in-law, Jimmy and Carolyn Koontz. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
   Pallbearers are his nephews Ken Koontz, Keith Koontz, Chris Barker, and Chuck Troy, his friends Andy Jenson, Steve Craighead, Richard Ramsey, and Pete Bohanon.
   Visitation will be at Sullivan Funeral Home, Vernon, Texas, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016.
   Services will be held at the direction of Senior Pastor Gib Baskerville, at First Baptist Church in Vernon, Texas, at 10 a.m., on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016.
   Interment will be at Navajoe Cemetery in Jackson County, Okla., at approximately 2:30 pm on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016.
   Memorial donations to the following or to the charity of the donor’s choosing are welcomed: Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, Horned Lizard Conservation Society or First Baptist Church.
   Online condolences may be made to the family at www.sullivanfuneralhomevernon.com.