Charles Earl Koontz

Charles Earl Koontz, 85, a resident of Horseshoe Bay for 21 years, passed away peacefully on April 4, 2015 in Amarillo, Texas. Charles was a longtime leader and early pioneer in the cattle feeding industry. The family resided in several states including Texas, New Mexico, Hawaii, California and Arizona. Charles was born in Prescott, Arizona on February 18, 1930, the son of a cowboy father and a school teacher mother. Charles graduated from Miami High School in Miami, Arizona in 1947. In 1953, he graduated with a degree in Animal Husbandry from California State Polytechnic College, known as "Cal Poly", in San Luis Obispo. He married the love of his life Betty Jo Stephenson in 1956 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and a longtime member of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, of which he was president in 1983. He served seven years on the board of directors of the National Cattlemen's Association, now known as the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, and was on the Executive Committee in 1985. During the years of 1986-1988, Charles also served on the National Live Stock and Meat Board. Charles was a member of the Texas Animal Health Commission for 14 years, from 1973-1987. He was President and General Manager of Olton Feedyard, Inc. for many years before its sale in 1985, and a partner in C Bar Feedyard from 1986-2000. Charles was a true cattleman, loved to play golf and be among friends and family. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Betty Jo; his parents Ed Koontz and Emma Dawson Koontz and his brother, Oliver Koontz. He is survived by his daughter, Sandra Norman, of Benbrook; his son, John Todd Koontz and wife Eloisa of Canyon. He was blessed with five grandchildren, Amanda, Emily, Allison, Kendall and Edwin. Memorial services for Charles Koontz will be at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday May 2, 2015 at The Church at Horseshoe Bay in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you make memorial contributions to the TCFA Education Foundation at the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, 5501 I-40 West Amarillo, Texas 79106.

Service Schedule

Memorial Service The Church at Horseshoe Bay Horseshoe Bay, TX Saturday, May 02, 2015 11:30 a.m.