Ronald L Coontz

In Memoriam RONALD L. COONTZ born September 13, 1948, died June 6, 2025
Ron is survived by his wife of 44 years, Ann, his daughter, Lissa and son-in-love Zack, and their son Milo. His parents were Theodore and Mildred (Ashcraft) Smith. His brother Theodore Warren (passed 7 years ago) and his sister, Denise.
Ron grew up in Colorado, spending summers working on his uncle's farm in Simla, CO. He graduated from Lincoln High School, while working to help support his family during economic hardships.
To circumvent the draft, Ron enlisted in the Air Force on New Years Day 1967. During his time in the service, he lived in Biloxi MS, U-Tapao Thailand, South Dakota, and Alaska. His illustrious military career was marked by distinguished service during the Vietnam War. Upon returning home from his time in the service on Christmas day, 1971, he was met with significant challenges including societal rejection, PTSD, and homelessness. Despite the difficulties in readjusting to civilian life, he overcame.
He worked in Chicago for a short time and traveled the country on his motorcycle with his dog, Hookah. He rode the motorcycle to Alaska and California to climb mountains, he had run-ins with a Moose, and he hiked many of Colorados parks. He worked for his uncle as a surveyor and traveled for a few years teaching mechanics how to repair brakes on big rigs.
Ron made his way back to Colorado where he met Ann, and they have been together 47 years. She worked while he finished his Civil Engineering degree at Metro State College in Denver. He worked for JR engineering, and eventually Douglas County as their head Highway Engineer, where he retired. As a respected professional, he made profound contributions to the field of surveying and was one of the rare few licensed in both Civil Engineering and Surveying in Colorado.
After receiving his degrees, Ron married Ann in 1981, and Lissa was born in 1983. He loved Lissa with his every breath. Soon that year they moved to their property outside of Kiowa. He often took Lissa on adventures. Camping, fishing, and exploring nature. In 2021, Milo was born. He was the surprise of "Papa's" life, and he was so very happy to have a grandchild.
In 1990 Ron proudly designed and built a home on their property, where they lived until 2024. He struggled from PTSD but found great solace in their home. The views, the wild animals, and the quiet was all he ever wanted. As it turns out, the property was just 2 miles from the original family homestead where his great grandparents settled after they came across the plains to Colorado in a covered wagon.
Ron loved to fish with his buddy Rich and go hunting and camping in the mountains. He loved playing guitar and putzing around in the garage. He had a passion for collecting really cool stones. He was stubborn, opinionated, and blunt. He was also incredibly kind, honest, loyal, loving, hardworking and smart. He loved his country almost as much as he loved his family.
Shortly after retiring from Douglas County, Ron had a severe heart attack. The consequent health issues led to more memory loss, strokes, and eventually an Alzheimer's diagnosis. In the following years as his memory faded, so did his health. On Friday June 6, a lung infection took him to his next life, where he can be free to climb, fish, play guitar, and be in