Philip Burton Koonce

Philip Koonce II, beloved husband, father and coach, passed away on Tuesday, January 29, 2013. He was born on October 16, 1926, in Shreveport, Louisiana to Dr. Philip B. Koonce Sr. and Mabel Koonce. Philip is survived by his children: Philip Koonce, III and his wife Gail, Blaine Koonce and his wife Lynn, and Katy Koonce and her wife Paige; his grandchildren: Cody, Bryan, Brent, Haley, Andrea, Jenna, Stephanie, Dylan, and Waylon; and seven great-grandchildren. Philip was raised in Carthage, Texas, and graduated from Carthage High School in 1944. He attended the University of Texas at Austin where he played football for the Texas Longhorns until he was drafted into the Army in 1945. He was stationed in the Philippines and later transferred to the Air Force to coach and play quarterback for the Air Force football team in the Pacific. During his time in the armed forces, Philip also helped organize musical entertainment for the USO. This formative period crystallized two passions that would inspire him for the rest of his life: football and music.Returning from the service, Philip attended the University of Houston, where he walked on to the football team as a fullback and linebacker. He was later awarded a scholarship and played two years. Upon graduation, he returned to UH to earn a Master’s Degree in Education. In 1951, Koonce married the love of his life, Donna Schley Osborne. The Koonces settled in Texas City, where Koonce eventually became Head Coach. In 1964, the family returned to Carthage, where Koonce served as Head Coach and Athletic Director at Carthage High School for five years. In 1969, Philip moved back to the coast to work with his friend and mentor, L.Z. Bryan, at the brand new Brazoswood High School. For 16 years, Koonce served as Assistant Head Football Coach and Defensive Coordinator, helping to guide the Bucs to eight district titles and to the state championship in 1974. Former players remember him as stern and disciplined yet compassionate, an introvert with a sense of humor and a talent for storytelling. Despite his reserved demeanor, Philip had a beautiful voice, which he shared in rare performances at anniversaries and family gatherings. When he was a young man, his mother wrote to country music legend Tex Ritter to ask advice for her son’s musical aspirations. Philip treasured Ritter’s carefully written response for the rest of his life. In later years, “Daddy Phil,” loved to listen to new music and was an avid fan of Austin City Limits on PBS. Lucky family members would often hear him singing along to a favorite song by Elvis or Jim Reeves.