John Dana Koontz Jr., Our beloved father and one of the coolest dudes on the planet passed away on January 4, 2021 after a courageous 10 week battle with cancer. The eldest of three brothers, "Dane" was born in February 25, 1943 to the late Colonel John D. "Skipper" Koontz and Helen Wood "Heidi" Koontz while his father was serving in the U.S. Army. He was a lifelong resident of Baton Rouge, LA. He was a thinker, a watcher, a Harley rider, a music lover, and a huge Blue Angels fan - never missing the summer air show in Pensacola. He was kind to all, genuinely interested in everything and everyone. Dane had a calm steady presence in every situation from celebrations to challenges. Usually quiet and reserved, Dane's style was to drop a one liner that made everyone laugh. And he did that throughout his entire life. Dane was a 1961 graduate of Baton Rouge High School where he met his high school sweetheart and future wife, the late Merle Babin Koontz. After attending Louisiana State University, he began a lifelong career at Esso/Exxon in the petroleum products laboratory and retired in 2000. Dane and Merle celebrated 50 years of marriage before she passed in 2016. Together they enjoyed decades of cherished family moments raising their three children (Johnnie, Duke and Jackie) and were ever-present for vacations, birthday celebrations, graduations, weddings, and the births of their grandchildren. Surrounded by love, he is survived by his three children John Dana Koontz III and spouse Jodi Schenk Koontz, James Duke Koontz and spouse Kristy Begnaud Koontz, and Jacquelyn Koontz Triche and spouse Jason Triche. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Taylor Koontz, Phoebe Koontz, Asa Triche and spouse Christen, Jacob Triche, Levi Triche, Duke Koontz Jr and Ashton Koontz. He is also survived by two brothers, Steve T Koontz and wife Cheryl, Guy C Koontz and his wife Bobbi. The family has peace in knowing that he is once again with his beloved Merle. We are grateful for the doctors, nurses, and support professionals who were giving, kind, and proactive with his care. A celebration of his life is planned for Thursday January 14, 2021 at Rabenhorst Funeral Home at 825 Government St Baton Rouge, 70802. Visitation is from 3-5 pm, followed by a brief memorial ceremony at 5 pm. Due to COVID restrictions at the venue, we respectfully request all visitors to observe local safety regulations by wearing a mask. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to your charity of choice or MD Anderson Cancer Research Center https://gifts.mdanderson.org/.
