On June 3, 1924, the world became a brighter, sunnier world filled with the irrepressible intellectual curiosity and contagious laughter of Marjorie “Marge” Buck. She was born in Raton, New Mexico to Lillie E. Buck and Claude Lindsey Buck and she passed away on October 17, 2018 when the world lost the floating melody of her joyous laughter.
Our cherished Stepmom / Aunt, preceded in heaven by her husband, Robert Ernest Koontz is survived by her step-children Karen Sue Snyder, Robert Allan Koontz (wife Nancy), and John Randall Koontz (wife Heather), and preceded in heaven by step-daughter Lee Ann Koontz Golding (husband, Michael Golding). And grandchildren, John David Metzner, Julie Marie Bear, Jason Metzner, Jennifer Marie Davis, Robert Henry David Koontz, and Jeanette Koontz. She is also survived by her nephew, Gregory Lee Buck (wife Roberta) and nieces Janice Teri Congdon (husband Dan), Vicki Ann Buck, and Diana Jeanne Tillman (husband Bryan).
Raised on a cattle ranch, Marge was inexorably drawn to the finer things in life. As a young girl, she spent hours listening to opera on the radio and developed a voracious appetite for reading, learning, and observing fashion. At 16 years of age, she left Colorado and traveled on the adventure of a lifetime – to New York City. From there, she went on to work at the Pentagon during WWII.
During the height of the war, Marge could be found volunteering with the USO and visiting war-torn veterans, bringing her beautiful smile, laughter, and hope into their lives. Her love for veterans, birthed during WWII never died. For the rest of her life, she sent letters and care packages to “our boys” stationed abroad, reminding them that their sacrifice for our country mattered.
Later, Marge studied business at the University of Colorado. But it was her teen-aged and young-adult experiences that led her to a lifetime career in the Federal Government at the United States Airforce Finance and Accounting Center, achieving the equivalent rank of major.
In 1974 Marge married the love of her life – the man who shared her love of country, the arts, intellectual curiosity, and the same generous spirit towards family – Robert Koontz. The two of them enjoyed traveling mostly in the United States to places like Santa Fe, and Corpus Christi often frequenting art galleries, where she loved conversing with the artists. They both loved any opportunity to attend dinner theaters, Off-Broadway shows, and snuggle in at home with classic, old movies.
Unable to have children of her own, Marge reached out to her nieces and nephew and to Robert’s children, who she also loved, with cards, letters, phone calls, and homemade gifts. Together, Marge and Robert provided mentorship and a haven for confidences.
In her late years, she and Robert moved to The Army Retirement Center in San Antonio, Texas. While there, she hosted parties for retired officers and their wives, helped with estate sales, and regularly perused local garage sales. Back to her roots, she volunteered at a local hospital.
Marge will be remembered for her impeccable taste in clothing, paired with appropriate “bling” for every outfit she wore. Her unforgettable laughter and generous spirit will bless future generations on both sides of the family. Marge blessed the lives of so many people and chose to live a life that made a difference.
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