GEORGE KOONTZ
GEORGE KOONTZ
Memphis, Missouri
1948 – 2025
George William Koontz, died August 12, 2025 at Schuyler County Nursing Care Center, Queen City, Missouri. He was born at Ottumwa, Iowa, on December 4, 1948, to Lawrence and Eleanor (Schuck) Koontz of Memphis, Missouri.
George married Diana Elaine Scott on September 30, 1978, at the Memphis United Methodist Church, Memphis, Missouri. He was raised by his parents on a Hereford and row crop farm near Memphis. After graduating from Scotland County High School with the Class of 1966, he attended Northeast Missouri State (Truman State), where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Arts. He enjoyed all of the camaraderie with his Phi Lamba Chi fraternity brothers during the college years and beyond. He and his wife traveled to Colorado to paddle Colorado and Snake Rivers with other couples of fraternity brothers.
George worked for 40 years for Memphis Bottling Company. He and Diana farmed row crops and livestock in Scotland County. He mentored Cub Scouts and Explorers in early years and then enjoyed serving on Scotland Co. R-1 school board for 18 years and as their representative to Missouri School Board Association.
In his youth, he participated in 4-H, Boy Scouts of America (Order of Arrow) and Presbyterian Youth.
George always worked to better his community. He worked to organize: Scotland County School Foundation, Fitness Center (President) and SC Rotary Club (past president, assistant, Governor, Paul Harris Fellow).
The Masonic Lodge was a very important part of his life. He was an active member of Memphis Lodge #16 A.F. & A.M., and served as Past Master. He was a Royal Arch Mason, Caldwell Chapter #53, Kirksville Council #44 – Cryptic Royal Select Masons, Eli Chapter #22 Knight Templar Commandery, Rutledge Chapter #343 Order of the Eastern Star and in his early years, he was on Degree Teams for various other lodges and was a 55-year Mason.
He was a stage actor in many productions of the Memphis Community players. State bowling team coach. He bowled for many years on the Pepsi team and was honored to serve as the Keokuk ladies state bowling team coach. George was a racecar driver and avid fan of Nascar.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, his mother’s 3 sisters and brother, his father’s 2 sisters. He is survived by his wife, Diana, of the farm; Kevin L Koontz (Jessica) of Batavia, Iowa; Leora (Scott) Ruckman of Omaha, NE; Robert A Scott of Omaha, NE; also grandchildren Karleigh A Scott, Kobe A Scott, Zander C Ruckman, Joseph W Koontz; and one great-granddaughter Sarai.
Funeral services were held Saturday morning, August 16, at 10:00 A.M. at the Payne Funeral Chapel in Memphis with Pastor Donna Clark Fuller and Pastor Kathy Gardner officiating. Interment followed in the Memphis Cemetery.
Connie Courtney was the organist that played at the service.
Pallbearers were Curtis Mallett, Eric Glass, Jason Glass, Kevin Fox, Ryan Bergeson, and Jordan Fulk. The Honorary Pallbearers were Tom Fender, Tom Glass, Ron Gardner, Joseph Koontz, Brent Walker, and Robert (Train) Gallagher.
Masonic Rites were conducted by the Memphis Lodge #16 A.F.& A.M. Friday evening, August 15,2025, at 7:30 P.M at the Payne Funeral Chapel in Memphis.
Online condolences may be shared with the Koontz family by logging onto Payne’s website at paynefuneralchapel.com
Memorials in his memory may be given to the Memphis Presbyterian Church, Rotary Scholarship Fund or the Scotland County School Foundation and may be left at or mailed to the Payne Funeral Chapel, 202 E. Madison St. , Memphis, Missouri 63555.
Arrangements were entrusted to the care of the Payne Funeral Chapel in Memphis.
