Jerry Clifton Koontz, age 84, of Florence, Alabama, passed away on June 12, 2026. A Funeral Service will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on August 1, 2026. More details to come. Updates will be found here.

He was proceeded in death by his wife Mary Sue Elizabeth Stewart Koontz. His Parents Albert Clifton Koontz and Sally Elizabeth Koontz. One brother John Bradford Koontz. Three brothers-in-law James Stewart, Paul Pentz and Buzz Kennedy and a niece Debbie Baylis.

Jerry is survived by two children, Clifton Stewart Koontz and Elizabeth Tierney Waters her husband Brandon Kieth Waters and two grandchildren, Andrew Clifton Waters and Alexander Stewart Waters, as well as numerous well loved nieces and nephews.

Jerry was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Turtle Point Country Club, and the American Legion Post 11. Jerry enjoyed golf since a young boy playing with his father, brother and sister in High Point, North Carolina. He played tennis in high school and again in College for Western Carolina. He loved water, some would say he was part fish. He liked to swim in lakes, oceans, and pools. He also loved to take his family on ski trips throughout the years. His favorite hobby though was being with his family.

Jerry spent his childhood in High Point North Carolina. He was raised by two amazing parents along with a beautiful sister Carloyn and his charming brother John. Jerry graduated from the University of Western Carolina where he made lifelong friends as a member of the TKE Fraternity. After graduating college, Jerry went to Vietnam for a tour in the Army from 1966-1967 and returned a Captain. As soon as he arrived home, he married Mary Sue Stewart, (his Susie Q) in August of ’67. Sue and Jerry would go on to have two pretty cool children, and together these four would move eleven times to six different states. Along the way they would raise over 20 dogs, 6 horses, 6 cats, a guinea pig and a turtle. They were the kind of couple that never met a stranger and formed deep bonds with countless lifelong friends across the country, especially right here in Florence Alabama.

He always had a smile on his face and a joke to tell. He loved his family and friends so deeply that the absence of that love will be noticeably missed for years to come. Jerry lost his Sue in July of last year. He blessed us with 11 more months, and while we are thankful for that time, we wanted so much more. The only comfort we have is knowing that he is smiling ear to ear, holding the hand of his Susie Q.

As you can tell, Jerry’s heart was big. In lieu of flowers please pick from any of the charities he gave to monthly, they will all miss him dearly. National Multiple Sclerosis Society, American Heart Association, ALS Association, American Kidney Fund, American Cancer Society, Shriners Hospitals, Hillsdale College, Wounded Warrior Project, American Red

Cross, Disabled Veterans, VFW, Paralyzed Veterans of America, The Special Olympics, National Foundation for Cancer Research, USO, Boys & Girls Club of America, and the Arthritis Foundation. He loved them all and was proud to do his part. If you’re looking for his favorites, it’s the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the American Heart Association.