Jesse Koontz

Jesse Raymond Koontz (Ray Ray), 80, of Lima, Montana and Quartzsite, Arizona, passed away August 24, 2018, in Dillon, Montana after a long, hard-fought battle with cancer. Ray was born March 28, 1938, in Dillon, Montana, to Sherman T. Koontz and Emma June (Brown) Koontz. He was the oldest of 6 children. He married Neva Rae Brown on December 6, 1957, in Idaho Falls, ID, and they were later divorced. To this union were three daughters, Debra Ann, Katherine Lynn and Teri Rae. He served as a Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy as a Nuclear Submarine Mechanic and retired after 20 years. He re-enlisted into the Navy and served 10 additional years. He was a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars. Ray Ray became a “snowbird” living summers in Montana and winters in Arizona and was a well-known friend and family member in both communities. He had many interests including softball, desert golf, hunting, shooting, and he loved to sing karaoke. Ray had a great sense of humor and he loved to tell stories and to make people laugh. He is survived by his daughters Debra Ann Koontz of Quartzsite, Arizona; Katherine Lynne Martin (Bart) of Idaho Falls, Idaho; and Teri Rae Koontz of Quartzsite, Arizona; grandchildren: John Koontz (Jamie), Jamie Ryder, Amanda Sturgeon (Kenneth), Scott Ryder, Matthew Grindrod Zachary Grindrod (Anna), Katlynn Holdgate (Daniel, and Cassidy Martin; brothers: Thomas Koontz (Doris), Ronald Koontz, Steven Koontz (Susan; sister: Barbara Schwartz (Robert); and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by both parents; grandson, Shawn Ryder; and one brother, Richard Koontz. The family would like to thank Dillon Hospice, Barrett’s Hospital workers in Dillon, Montana; Dr. Weed, Dr. Murray, and Dr.McIntyre, as well as Dr Ellie Maghami at the City of Hope and Dr. Samir Patel and Dr. Mahesh Seetharam at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix.