Edward Ernest Kountz

Dad,

Your memory is still with me everyday, of the life you lived, and the way in the Will of our Father you lived it.

Your presence in my life is so missed, but cannot wait to get up there and spend eternity enjoying our families love with each other.

Keeping the Faith!

Your Son,

Erik

Missing you, but know your in His Mighty hands, looking forward to catching up with you in the air "We shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. I am comforted by his Spirit everyday, and will trust in Jesus through eternity.

Love to the Lord for giving me such a wonderful family.

Love in Jesus,

Erik

Here we are, six years ago today, and the time of missing you hasn't stopped...

Always in our hearts, Dad~

Love you,

Your daughter,

Pamela Jeanne

Dad, another Father's Day...always in our hearts, prayers and minds...as we comfort each other through the pain of your being gone too quickly~
Hugs,
Your daughter and family

Sandy and family: I just learned of Ed's death and I am so sorry, I lift my prayers for all of you.
Lynn Ottum Lynch

Happy Father's Day Pop!

Love you and miss you. Always thinking of you

Your Son, Erik

Happy Fathers day pop!

Miss you tons as we all do. Cannot wait to see you when we are together again.

Love you Dad,

Erik

All our Love Dad this holiday season, we miss you, and think about you, and what you gave to us everyday.

Mom is doing well, but misses you, may Jesus protect her, and console her everyday.

Love, your Son

Erik

Thinking of you everyday Dad. Happy Anniversary.

Sent Mom some flowers today, with box of candy.

Love from us all...see ya soon Dad.

Erik

Happy Birthday today...August 28th ~ You are now celebrating in Heaven ~

Always in our hearts and minds ~

Love,
Your daughter,
PJ

Father,

Happy Birthday, I know you are in peace, and the warmth and confort of our Lord God, Jesus, and His precious Holy Spirit.

I think of you constantly, and cannot wait to see you again, when our families are together again.

I Love you Dad,

Your Son Erik

Happy Father's Day!

Miss you! Second year of you not being here...

Taking care of Mom, grandkids and future first Great grandbaby, Olivia Paige Watkins...due July 2011...

See you in Heaven...

Your daughter,

PJ (aka "Grizelda")

Yesterday commemorated a year since you left us here...we miss you terribly...

God continues to sustain and bless your family here on Earth...Until we meet again!

Your daughter,
Pamela Jeanne

Father,
I know that you are in HIS presence...I wish we could all be there with you. We all miss you so much.

Keeping the Faith Pop!

PTL!! As you used to say...

See ya soon

Happy V day Pop's

Lov Erik

Happy Valentines Day, Dad/G'pa!

We love you, miss you and know that we are taking care of Mom here!

Until we met again!
Your Daughter...

PJ

Thought you would like this song Dad.


And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise


More lyrics: Can't wait to see you! Miss ya

Dad,

Knew you would do the same..enjoy

GOD BLESS THIS AIRLINE CAPTAIN.............
GOD BLESS THIS AIRLINE CAPTAIN:
He writes: My lead flight attendant came to me and said, "We have an
H.R. on this flight." (H.R. stands for human remains.) "Are they
military?" I asked.

'Yes', she said.
'Is there an escort?' I asked.
'Yes, I already assigned him a seat'.

'Would you please tell him to come to the flight deck? You can board
him early," I said.

A short while later, a young army sergeant entered the flight deck.
He was the image of the perfectly dressed soldier. He introduced
himself and I asked him about his soldier. The escorts of these
fallen soldiers talk about them as if they are still alive and still
with us.
'My soldier is on his way back to Virginia ,' he said. He proceeded
to answer my questions, but offered no words.

I asked him if there was anything I could do for him and he said no.
I told him that he had the toughest job in the military and that I
appreciated the work that he does for the families of our fallen
soldiers. The first officer and I got up out of our seats to shake
his hand. He left the flight deck to find his seat.

We completed our preflight checks, pushed back and performed an
uneventful departure. About 30 minutes into our flight I received a
call from the lead flight attendant in the cabin. 'I just found out
the family of the soldier we are carrying, is on board', she said.
She then proceeded to tell me that the father, mother, wife and
2-year old daughter were escorting their son, husband, and father
home. The family was upset because they were unable to see the
container that the soldier was in before we left. We were on our way
to a major hub at which the family was going to wait four hours for
the connecting flight home to Virginia .
The father of the soldier told the flight attendant that knowing his
son was below him in the cargo compartment and being unable to see
him was too much for him and the family to bear. He had asked the
flight attendant if there was anything that could be done to allow
them to see him upon our arrival. The family wanted to be outside by
the cargo door to watch the soldier being taken off the airplane.. I
could hear the desperation in the flight attendants voice when she
asked me if there was anything I could do. 'I'm on it, I said. I
told her that I would get back to her.
Airborne communication with my company normally occurs in the form of
e-mail like messages. I decided to bypass this system and contact my
flight dispatcher directly on a secondary radio. There is a radio
operator in the operations control center who connects you to the
telephone of the dispatcher. I was in direct contact with the
dispatcher. I explained the situation I had on board with the family
and what it was the family wanted. He said he understood and that he
would get back to me.
Two hours went by and I had not heard from the dispatcher. We were
going to get busy soon and I needed to know what to tell the family.
I sent a text message asking for an update. I saved the return
message from the dispatcher and the following is the text:
'Captain, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. There is
policy on this now and I had to check on a few things. Upon your
arrival a dedicated escort team will meet the aircraft. The team
will escort the family to the ramp and plane side. A van will be
used to load the remains with a secondary van for the family. The
family will be taken to their departure area and escorted into the
terminal where the remains can be seen on the ramp. It is a private
area for the family only. When the connecting aircraft arrives, the
family will be escorted onto the ramp and plane side to watch the
remains being loaded for the final leg home. Captain, most of us
here in flight control are veterans. Please pass our condolences on
to the family. Thanks.'
I sent a message back telling flight control thanks for a good job.
I printed out the message and gave it to the lead flight attendant to
pass on to the father. The lead flight attendant was very thankful
and told me, 'You have no idea how much this will mean to them.'

Things started getting busy for the descent, approach and landing.
After landing, we cleared the runway and taxied to the ramp area.
The ramp is huge with 15 gates on either side of the alleyway. It is
always a busy area with aircraft maneuvering every which way to enter
and exit. When we entered the ramp and checked in with the ramp
controller, we were told that all traffic was being held for us.
'There is a team in place to meet the aircraft, we were told. It
looked like it was all coming together, then I realized that once we
turned the seat belt sign off, everyone would stand up at once and
delay the family from getting off the airplane. As we approached our
gate, I asked the copilot to tell the ramp controller we were going to
stop short of the gate to make an announcement to the passengers. He
did that and the ramp controller said, 'Take your time.'
I stopped the aircraft and set the parking brake. I pushed the
public
address button and said, 'Ladies and gentleman, this is your
Captain speaking I have stopped short of our gate to make a special
announcement. We have a passenger on board who deserves our honor
and respect. His Name is Private XXXXXX, a soldier who recently lost
his life. Private XXXXXX is under your feet in the cargo hold.
Escorting him today is Army Sergeant XXXXXXX. Also, on board are
his father, mother, wife, and daughter. Your entire flight crew is
asking for all passengers to remain in their seats to allow the
family to exit the aircraft first. Thank you.'
We continued the turn to the gate, came to a stop and started our
shutdown procedures. A couple of minutes later I opened the cockpit
door. I found the two forward flight attendants crying, something you
just do not see. I was told that after we came to a stop, every
passenger on the aircraft stayed in their seats, waiting for the
family to exit the aircraft.

When the family got up and gathered their things, a passenger slowly
started to clap his hands. Moments later more passengers joined in
and soon the entire aircraft was clapping. Words of 'God Bless You',
?I'm sorry?, ?thank you?, ?be proud?, and other kind words were
uttered to the family as they made their way down the aisle and out
of the airplane. They were escorted down to the ramp to finally be
with their loved one.
Many of the passengers disembarking thanked me for the announcement I
had made. They were just words, I told them, I could say them over
and over again, but nothing I say will bring back that brave soldier.

I respectfully ask that all of you reflect on this event and the
sacrifices that millions of our men and women have made to ensure our
freedom and safety in these United States of AMERICA .
Foot note:

I know everyone who has served their country who reads this will have
tears in their eyes, including me.
Prayer chain for our Military.... Don't break it!

Please send this on after a short prayer for our service men and
women. Don't break it!

They die for me and mine and you and yours and deserve our honor and
respect.
Prayer:
'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they
protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they
perform for us in our time of need. Amen.'
Prayer Request:

When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for
our troops around the world. There is nothing attached. Just send
this to people in your address book. Do not let it stop with you. Of
all the gifts you could give a Marine, Soldier, Sailor, Airman, &
others deployed in harm's way, prayer is the very best one.
GOD BLESS YOU!!!

Dad,
I just wanted to say that we miss you this Christmas season, and that your Love that you have given me over the 42 years of my life flows from what you have taught, and shown me.

I Love and Miss you Dad...Keeping the Faith! EK

Have a Great Birthday party with our Lord...PTL,

"PTL POP"

I am missing you, and wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday!

Love you Pop.

Ek...See ya soon, and keep up the building!

Dad,
Three months ago we lost you here, but I know your building your new ranch in our Lord's kingdom, awaiting on the rest of our family to join you...we will be there soon. It has been rough for all of us, and we all miss you so much. I think of you daily, and am following in the way and manner you brought us up. My eyes close and my thoughts are of Mom and you, and me holding your hand again soon. We are planning on seeing Mom in a couple months, and our Family is struggling still as your presence in our lives was so immense that I don't have the words to express, but you know my thoughts now, and can see my soul...this is enough for me. I know you will be reading this, and will continue to write. I Love you Pop...I will see you soon, and talk to you sooner.

Erik

i remember uncle eddie loving dirty jokes. i worked in a hospital and of course the nurses would have dirty jokes and he have his from being a pilot for united. we'd get together for family functions at their house in H.B. and we'd always sit and exchange dirty jokes(of course no one was around), i also remember him loving his family deeply. i mean his wife, kids sisters in law and his nieces and nephews. i'll never forget this one time i had just bought my '74 capri from gustafson ford on beach blvd in H.B., it was about my third time for taking it in for the same trouble, finally i called my dad crying (who was living in lynwood at the time)my dad called uncle eddie to go to the dealership where i was at to see if he could help,uncle eddie was right there and my car was fixed. he loved his family and we loved him. he also loved the LORD, so i know he's in a really good place,
GOD bless you uncle eddie,love,
janet and my whole family

i remember uncle eddie loving dirty jokes. i worked in a hospital and of course the nurses would have dirty jokes and he have his from being a pilot for united. we'd get together for family functions at their house in H.B. and we'd always sit and exchange dirty jokes(of course no one was around), i also remember him loving his family deeply. i mean his wife, kids sisters in law and his nieces and nephews. i'll never forget this one time i had just bought my '74 capri from gustafson ford on beach blvd in H.B., it was about my third time for taking it in for the same trouble, finally i called my dad crying (who was living in lynwood at the time)my dad called uncle eddie to go to the dealership where i was at to see if he could help,uncle eddie was right there and my car was fixed. he loved his family and we loved him. he also loved the LORD, so i know he's in a really good place,
GOD bless you uncle eddie,love,
janet and my whole family

I flew many trips with Ed on UAL 727's.
He was a superb pilot, and a gentleman.
It was an honor to be his friend.
Milt Reel, Apple valley, CA

May the next landing be on GOD'S Runway. TOM POWELL

Prayers and good wishes,Ed left behind the most anyone could hope for,a family that loves him and friends that mourn him.

i flew with ed in cadets and at ual he was a friend and a class mate rip

Tailwinds and blue skies, Classmate.

Colin A. Smith, Col USAF Retired, Pilot Class 59A

Dear Kountz family,I met Mr.kountz at my job at Costco and like many others i developed a friendship with him and his son.I had many talks with Mr Kounts about politicts and i have no doubt he loved his country and was a true patiot. Above all he loved God and is now home.Until you meet again hold on to your memories.

In my opinion, the greatest legacy that Ed left was three children. Phil, you have all the qualities that you father wanted you to have and even more. You are strong and caring and loving. He was so blessed to have you there at his side through the last times of his life. Erik, you took command of your life and became a strong leader and loving family man. You work at a goal until you achieve it. He was very proud of you. Pam, you continually amazed him. You just keep growing and changing and becoming. All of you have joined him and your mother in the love of the Lord. What greater legacy could he possibly leave than to know that his children and grandchildren will join him soon in the arms of their Savior. God bless you all.

Dear Pam,
My sincerest condolences to you and your family on your loss. Ed was one of the many who made our flight training enjoyable. He will be missed.
Mike Levison
59A

Dear Pam

I am a classmate of Ed. Although in the same class, I never had the opportunity to cross paths with him. However, my other classmates talked of him in a glowing manner. I do believe that I'll get the chance to meet him again, and at that time, the memories of the past will be enjoyed. My best to you and your family. Remember, draw on Ed's strength, it will pull you through.

John Farr
Fellow 59A Pilot

Hi
Sorry to hear about Ed. I have great memories of pilot training, a good bunch.
I lived in Bakersfield before I went into the USAF.
Jerry Eldridge
59/A

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

We were long time neighbors while our kids were growing up and have really fond memories of those days with Ed and Sandy.

Dad,
From the earliest memories of my Father, were of him and I going to the local store or getting a haircut together, but the thing I remembered most about these precious times, was him holding my hand as we walked. How careful he was in making sure he had a hold of me, and the warmth of his hand in mine. Making sure I knew I was safe, and loved.

For as long as I could remember, my Father was set in stone on not only his faith in Jesus, but the guiding principals in life. Love, duty, honor, and respect toward family, and others. These are the best things he gave me...embedded in my heart, always, and forever.

My Father was a patriot...he served the America he loved so dearly. He loved the country too, and the rural lands and the beauty that our Lord gave us to enjoy. He was a watcher of many westerns, and avid reader of numerous books, and loved crossword puzzles, If I ever wanted to know who was playing the part in a old movie...he would know it right off the bat.
Dad you were the motivation in being who I am today, I would and will always strive to be like you. I will have many days ahead that I will want to seek your guidence, and will remember the wonderful and great advice you gave and relish in that until we see each other. I am missing you daily Pop, and miss our calls every couple days, but so glad that our Lord helped me get to your side, to be with you for your rebirth into his Kingdom. You will be in my thoughts, and prayers everyday.

Edward Ernest Kountz, my Father was first a believer in Jesus Christ, our Savior...he is there now as I speak. He would make this abundantly clear to everyone in his Family, and his friends, of his Love and devotion of the Lord, and to his Family.

"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;

They shall , mount up with wings as eagles;

They shall run, and not be weary;

and they shall walk, and not faint"

Isaiah...

Dad,
You will always be in my mind, and my heart, and my soul...I Love you Pop...I'll see you soon.

Love your Son...Erik Andrew Kountz

Dear Friends,

Ed was a wonderful, and faithful friend to the O'Malley family, always available to listen, and spontaneously
witty, ready for a laugh, and as grandaughter Jessica said, enjoyed "goofy" times together.
We were blessed to know and love Ed for 53 years,as cadet classmates, and also classmates at United Air Lines, where we enjoyed 37 years together.
His loyal and faithful friendship lives with all of us today, a beacon of hope, love, and faith in God's Promise for us all to share joyfully, in gratitude for the gift of Edward
in our lives. Edward is HOME, and the warmth of his spirit is always with us!

Andy O'Malley, Kathy and Ian, and grandaughter Kathleen.

Dearest Grandpa,
I forgot to mention a few things at the service...namely llama lips and "Reirani". All of us kids were talking about how goofy we are. I am pretty sure we got a lot of that from you! We love you and miss you. Thank you for all of the great laughs and wise words. I look forward to seeing you in heaven. Love Jessica "Rei"

Ed and I went through Aviation Cadets together. Great good friend, fine fellow, well met.

Dearest Dad:

Trying to memorialize you yesterday at your funeral service was nearly impossible, as your were larger than life to me as your eldest child and only daughter.
You inspired me to be a woman of integrity, unwavering strength, and a clear eye for truth and morality; to always work hard, rely on the Lord with all of my strength, and know that my Heavenly Father will always guide my path and protect me from evil.
As a young child, I remember saying the Lord's prayer with either you or Mom every night...I'd love to wear your flight hat when you'd come home from a trip from United Airlines, or to take a peek at you when you'd be resting in your chair...
You were the world to me. You continue to inspire me, and with that in mind, I will always hold you in the highest esteem as a man of God, a husband to our Mother of more than 51 years, a father to three adoring children, a father in law to my husband of 32 years, Rick, and a grandfather to eight brilliant and talented grandchildren, with my children ranging in ages of nearly 30 (Noah), 27 years old (Jessica Leilani), who are grandchildren #1 and #2; Alexzandria "Zanni" 18 years old (#5), and Chloe 16 years old (#6).
We adore you and know that you are seated near the throne of our Lord and Savior. Praise God, for you ran the race and made the finish line ahead of us all!
I plan to sit along side of you for all eternity, sharing in the memories of times long ago and praising and worshiping the Lord in all of His glory with the Saints...

My heart is broken for my loss, yet I will continue to keep you in my heart for my entire life here on Earth. I am a proud and loving daughter of a man unparalleled by no other. You are my dad, and I am so blessed to have had you in my life.

Your daughter,
Pamela Jeanne Kountz-Watkins

To the Kountz Family,
I was very sorry to hear of Ed's Final Flight West. Please accept my sincere condolences to the entire family.
Fellow Classmate, Aviation Cadet Class 59-Alpha
Hugh G.

Dear Kountz Family,Ed and I were room mates along with Alfred Klump (Germany) and Jan Jansen (Norway) at Graham Air Base, Fl. We all had a great camaraderie while in primary flight school with the ups and downs of the life of cadets. We in the class of 59 Alpha will miss you Ed till we all meet again in higher skies. John Howe Palmyra Va.

Dear Kountz Family,
I was so saddened to hear of Ed's passing. My deepest condolences to your family. I will always have fond memories of Sandie and Ed during the construction of there home. I am greatful that my life has crossed the path of such a fine family as the Kountz. Bless you all.
Kent Porterfield

Dear Pam,
I want to extend my condolences to you and your family.
With my sincerest sympathy,
Frank Shannon
Fellow 59-A Pilot

Phil, Pam & the entire Kountz family. You are in my thoughts and prayers now and always. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Uncle Ed - you will be missed by all. I have great memories of you from when i was but a toddler. You always had a smile on your face and a joke for all. I thank God for your being part of our family. Love Pat Lovett