Hugh Koonce

1934 - 2025

Hugh Koonce

June 13, 1934 - February 16, 2025

Hugh Koonce, a former Camas County resident, recently of Boise, passed away Sunday, February 16, 2025 surrounded by family. Hugh was born in Soldier, Idaho to Luther and Kathryn (Lilly) Koonce on June 13, 1934. Hugh married Afton (Denny) on November 20, 1955. This union produced three children, Kathy (Gary) of Fairfield, Kevin (Sarah) of Boise, and Karen (Scott) of West Magic. He is survived by two brothers, Paul and Joel Koonce. He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Mary Cluer, Margaret Luther and Ruth Miller. He and Afton have 7 grandchildren (Mandie, Amy, Cody, Tony, Taylor, Colton, Cassie), 11 great grandchildren (Brittany, KC, Daizy, Riley, Ryleigh, Ravyne, Bryson, Madison, Kaige, Tiergan, Maverick) and 3 great great grandchildren (Theodore, Liam, Kaedin).

In the early 50's, Hugh joined the National Guard in Gooding, Idaho, eventually earning the rank of E8 and became a tank commander. He was active in the Camas Soil Conservation District for many years and received the prestigious Doyle Scott Award for "Outstanding Leadership in the Field of Resource Conservation". He and Afton were active in the Camas County Chamber of Commerce - helping to bring the rodeo back to Fairfield and received the Persons of the Year Award in 2008. They served as Grand Marshalls for the Camas County Fair and were also active with the Southern Idaho Tourism Board.

Hugh loved the land and worked it with the same strong hands with which he loved his family and tinkered with repairs. He loved farming, ranching, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, playing cards, spending winters in Yuma and trips to the Oregon coast. Hugh and Afton both enjoyed the time they spent with friends exploring the country sides in their UTV. Hugh enjoyed antique tractor pulls, yard sales and farm auctions. Hugh especially enjoyed pasturing cattle for Colyer Cattle Co of Bruneau. In 2019, upon their retirement, they sold their ranch in Fairfield to Dean Isaac of Bruneau and then moved to Boise.

Hugh never met a stranger: he could walk into any hometown diner, anywhere, and strike up a conversation with the locals, leaving them with the memory of his stories and infectious smile. He and Afton were avid fans at their children's and later the grandchildren's and great grandchildren's sporting events. They served as a vital support for local youth groups, especially 4-H. They were instrumental in gathering add-on monies for the Fat Stock programs.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Fairfield in early summer 2025.

As one great grandson worded it, "Grampa was a warrior. He is in Valhalla."