Arthur B. "A.B., Art" Koonce
Marriages
Anna Laura "Laura" Haubrich Koonce - December 24, 1914
at Pueblo, Colorado.
Burial Details
Obituaries
Eagle Valley Enterpirse page 1 - June 28, 1962
Eagle Valley Enterprise page 1 - January 21, 1962
HEART ATTACK FATAL TO COMMUNITY LEADER.
A heart attack proved fatal to A. B. KOONCE of Eagle, prominent Western Colorado leader, Wednesday afternoon, June 27. Mr. KOONCE was working near his home when he suffered the attack, and he was dead when help arrived.
Mr. KOONCE's passing is a distinct loss to Western Colorado. He had championed the slope's battle to retain and develop its water resources. Since turning the management of Koonce Chevrolet Company over to his son, Harold, Mr. KOONCE devoted most of his time to volunteer work relating to these activities, and to advancement of the slope's highways.
He is a past director of the State Chamber of Commerce and past chairman of that body's natural resources committee. At the time of his death, he was a member of Club 20's highways committee and on the board of directors of the Colorado River Water Conservation District. As a member of this board, his last official act was his tireless efforts in attempting to form a water conservancy district to protect Eagle County's water. The day before his passing he was in Denver to a meeting when engineers from numerous foreign countries were present to meet with state leaders.
Mr. KOONCE's interest in his community is evidenced in his local activities. He was a charter member of the former Commercial Club, and later the Chamber of Commerce, holding offices in each; he is past chairman of the County Republican Committee and past member of the board of directors of the First National Bank of Eagle County. He recently received his 50-year Masonic Lodge pin.
Mr. KOONCE was one of three children born to Mary Augustus and George KOONCE. He was born March 31, 1880 at Decatur, Ill.
In 1901 he came to Eagle, and ranched for a time on Brush Creek on the Love Ranch, now owned by Mrs. Frank NEWCOMER. He also ranched with Bert WOLVERTON on the creek. He was a pioneer new car dealer in the county and in the early '20s established Koonce Chevrolet Company. During the years this firm has become of the largest local businesses, providing employment for a good many. Management of the company was turned over to his son, Harold in 1937.
Mr. KOONCE met Laura HAUBRICH when she came to Eagle to visit her brother, George, the then publisher of the Eagle Valley Enterprise, and the couple was married at Pueblo in 1914. They are the parents of two children, Harold and Mrs. John (Marguerite) SPANO now of Arvada.
Other survivors are nine grandchildren: Susan, Hal, Chris, Steve and Ann KOONCE, all of Eagle; August John, Arthur, Christopher and Andrew SPANO of Arvada; and a nephew, Lt. Colonel Vance KOONCE of Carmel, Indiana.
Miller Funeral Home has charge of the funeral arrangements and services will be conducted at the Eagle Methodist Church Saturday afternoon, June 30. Burial will be in Sunset Cemetery in Eagle.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, contribution to the heart fund may be made at the Eagle Pharmacy.
