Charles Thomas "Tommy" Koontz
April 29, 1932 ~ December 9, 2024
Born in:
Buncombe County, North Carolina
Resided in:
Buncombe County, North Carolina
Charles Thomas “Tommy” Koontz, Sr. passed away surrounded by his loving family on Monday, December 9, 2024 at the age of 92. A lifelong resident of Buncombe County, he devoted his life to serving his Lord, his family, Biltmore Church, Buncombe County Schools, and his community.
He was a Christ follower first, loving Husband to Jessie, devoted Dad and Daddy to Chip (Kathy), Cheryl (Chuck), Bryan (Carol), and Carol Beth (Bryan), Papa to Jessica Ruth (Erich), Meredith, Forrest, David (Jennah), Taylor (Taylor Lee), Laurel (Sawyer) and Elizabeth (Warren), Poppie to Willow, Arlo, Henry, Baby O. and Baby M. and Friend to so many more. He was a giver of gifts, time, and himself. He loved everyone, was generous to a fault, rarely complained, and always responded by saying, “I’m finer than a frog’s hair split five ways.” He consistently did what he could in the moment to make things better for everyone involved. He loved his country, friends, music, mountain heritage in Western North Carolina and his TC Roberson Rams. He leaves behind many who are better because of his influence in their lives.
The family would especially like to thank Titus Robinson, Storm Chapman, John McDaniel and MG Herrman for their love and exceptional care of our father. He loved them and appreciated all that they did for him. Special thanks to the Charlie Bass Connect Group at Biltmore Church, Advent Home Care and Four Seasons Hospice.
In lieu of flowers or memorials, please donate to the Hurricane relief funds of Biltmore Church, ABCCM, Hearts with Hands or Samaritan’s Purse.
Burial will be private, but Mr. Koontz will lie in repose from 8:00 AM until 6:00 PM on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (December 12-15) at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. The family will not be present during those times, but guests may stop by to sign the guest book and pay their respects. There will be opportunity for memories to be written and shared with his family.
Services
For those who wish to pay their respects: December 12, 2024 8:00 am - December 15, 2024 6:00 pm
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian
72 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828)687-3530
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
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Tommy Koontz was a legend. He dedicated a lifetime to educating and helping others. Such fond memories of his awesome leadership. I was privileged, as chair of the regional advisory committee, to have helped the community recognize his contributions, with the well deserved honor in the naming of a school for him.
To his family, our thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless you!
Tommy koontz changed my life 49 years ago. I had been sent to his office because I’d snuck off campus and was late to class. In his office he was listening to John Denver. He knew I played guitar and said if I learned “Country Roads,” I wouldn’t have to do after school detention. So, I snuck off campus again, skipped the rest off my classes and drove to a music store to buy the sheet music. Little did I know, he had watched me leave school again. The next day I came in with my guitar with a John Denver song book and played every song in
it. I missed all my afternoon classes that day, because we sang until school ended and kept going until almost 5 that evening. We made it a weekly event. I have never had so much fun in a pretend “detention”. I still play and sing those songs and always think of him and share that he is the one that made my musical life possible. God’s speed Mr. Koontz, you were a remarkable man.
❤️
Thank you so much for giving us a glimpse of what made him such an amazing educator and leader. All the best to you in your musical journey. Many thanks to you and to everyone for your heartfelt condolences. Carol Lynam Koontz (Bryan’s wife)
Thank you, Mr Koontz for all the well taught lessons .
Rest In peace Mr Koontz. I cherish the conversations we shared at heart path and later during our lunches at French Fries !
I know you have already heard the phrase “well done my good and faithful servant “
Thank you for being a friend !
Kind and gentle in his approach to people gave him a wonderful legacy!!
Blessings upon his family because I know he is in heaven in the arms of Jesus!!
I want the family to know how much I appreciate and enjoyed the privilege to know Tommy!!!
He will certainly be missed, but so happy to know that he is in heaven!!
Rev Ron and and Louise Brown
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Mr Koontz was a wonderful person. He will be missed.
Mr. Koontz was a great principle and will always be remembered. Prayers for the family.
I’ll never forget all the good times we had in scouts. He was my scout master.
Prayers go out to the family!
Mr Koontz was one of a kind. Great man need more people in the world like Mr Koontz. Prayers to all the family.
Mr. Koontz was such a wonderful gentleman. He will be remembered for his love for his family and our public schools. Hopefully the wonderful memories of him will give you comfort in these difficult days.
Our thoughts and prayers are with ya’ll during the loss of your loved one, Mr koontz was a wonderful a great person,he will be greatly missed by a lot of family and friends who he met, Rest in peace ,Mr koontz
Chip, Cheryl, Bryan and Carol Beth – our family’s thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. In the passing of your dad, the TC Roberson school community has lost an incredibly passionate advocate and champion. As a school administrator he truly modeled excellence in the role of a dedicated service-based leader, impacting a countless number of students, staff and professional colleagues. I will always treasure the wonderful memories experienced as a TCR student under his watch. The naming of a school within the BCS family in his honor is such a fitting tribute to the exceptional quality of your dad’s life.
Mr. Koontz was truly a special man! I was blessed to have had him as my high school principal. Our family grew up going to church with the Koontz Family at Biltmore Baptist Church. I played high school football with Mr. Koontz’s oldest son, Chip, and Mr. Koontz was always at our practices encouraging us players to be “The best that we could be”! His influence on my like is immeasurable! May God Richly Bless The Koontz Family During This Time Of Great Loss! Go RAMS!
Perhaps the most honorable man in our community…
Mr. Koontz was so much more than a great educator, mentor, and principal who passionately stayed true to his TCR Rams; He was a slow-shuffling disciple of God with a purpose in life. To serve others. Hundreds and thousands of others. At 92 years old and surviving 2 heart attacks and 2 strokes, Mr. Koontz still had an impeccably sharp memory that rarely failed. I will miss treasured convos from weekly dinners at “The Corner Grille” and bugging him about going for a motorcycle ride. 😄 I’m so grateful for those times and thankful because the legendary Mr. Tommy Koontz is in a place so much better than we are.
I love you and miss you Mr. Koontz,
Kevin King
Thank you for caring about your students beyond just school! Praying for all of the family that God will comfort you!
He was always out volunteering especially this time of year, I remember seeing him at Eblen putting bikes together or ringing to bell for the less fortunate for Christmas, he had the biggest heart!
Anytime you’d see him and Mr. Buckner out they’d would always talk to you and my oh my they would remember you and your name! Imagine all the students they had and that they remembered!!
Rest in peace Mr. Koontz! I truly loved you!
What a celebration that’s going on in heaven right now !!! We all lived Tommy Koontz ❤️
Mr. Koontz was one of the kindest, humblest, most generous and unselfish gentlemen I have ever had the pleasure to know. I became acquainted with him during the 11 years I worked at TCR and PEP. I would see him at athletic events and frequently around the halls during schooldays, always doing something to make the the school more pristine, like cleaning the trophy case across from the front office or picking up trash off the floor. Mr. Koontz always took time to speak to passers by, and he always made everyone feel like they mattered. He shared many stories with me of his time as principal at Roberson during times of great social change in the late 60s and early 70s. I was so pleased for his recognition in the Roberson District when Koontz Intermediate School was dedicated in his honor. His inspirational spirit touched so many of us, and Mr. Koontz will always be remembered with gratitude for his unconditional love.
I cherish the memories of growing up with his family. Knowing that he was not just my High School principal, but also a neighbor made it special. His legacy remains, yet his presence will be sorely missed.
God, bless the family in these difficult times. Comfort the many that have been blessed to know this wonderful man. Let us always remember what he stood for in serving others.
Thank you, Mr. Koontz, for your example of goodness and for valuing each individual. Thank you to the Koontz family for sharing him with the community these many years.
Proud to have been one of your Rams.
I will always cherish our time around a fire.
Happy Trails.. 😢
Rest well, you deserve it…
There is a lyric from a Jimmy Buffett song that says “Our lives change like the weather but a legend never dies…” And that fist Mr. Koontz so well. I was blessed to know him on several levels… As my principal he showed care and trust in me, as he allowed me to do many things in my senior year as a student assistant in the school office… A few years later he hired me to be on the faculty at Roberson for two years under a temporary federally funded programs… As a friend as we often crossed paths everywhere from Roberson alumni events, occasionally at stores or restaurants or just “around” town. Roberson was his “second home” and the thousands of students he mentored were all “his kids”. Thank you to his family for sharing this iconic educator and man with us. May Tommy Koontz and souls of all the faithful departed Rest in Peace and Joy…
I understand how hard it is to lose someone. Knowing one day we will be reunited in heaven with our loved one is the only thing that offers comfort. Mr. Koontz was a friend to all. His life is a living example of what it means to live a Spirit filled life. I pray for comfort for the Koontz family. I know God is pleased to welcome Mr. Koontz to Heaven
Jessie, I am so sorry. I had just talked to a T.C. Grad a week ago, saying what a good man Tommy was. I lost my Larry 3 days before Christmas last year. I know what you are going through.
Thank you to the Koontz Family for sharing Tommy with so many of us. He is a legend, so loved and respected by thousands of people whose lives were made better knowing him, our family included. Hugs, Brian and Carol Beth and families, Sincerely, Shannon and Joe, Elizabeth, Mark and Hardy Ward
To Chip and Cheryl and the entire Koontz family, please accept my deepest sympathies for Mr Koontz’s passing. God bless all of you!
Mr Koontz was a dear and caring friend,he was the best of the best. The life he lived spoke of him. Rest in heavenly Peace Mr Koontz ❤️
So sorry for your loss
Mr. Koontz was our principal at Red Oak Elementary School. Patty’s mother, Joyce Ingle, worked with him as his administrative assistant. He was a wonderful person, very caring, kind, understanding and a great educator!! His smile would always brighten your day! During his career as an educator, Mr. Koontz made a tremendous and lasting difference in the lives of thousands of students and others!! He was a fantastic and effective educator but an even more amazing person!!! Years after leaving Red Oak, each time we would have the opportunity to see Mr. Koontz, he would always make a point to talk with us! We have very fond memories of him, and he will be truly missed. He made this world a much better place!!!
Wayne and Patty (Ingle) Higgins
I met Tommy through my husband, Steve Mitchell. I spent many occasions reminiscing with them about Biltmore High School.
Tommy was so kind and thoughtful during and after Steve’s death. He was truly a special person.
Prayers for his family. Rest in peace, Tommy.
He was a caring man….one of the best men I have ever known. He will be missed by so many people. May he rest in peace.
I think Darlene Zackary said it so well. I appreciate Mr. Koontz’s family sharing him and the beautiful remembrance video of him with us. Blessings to everyone in his family.