Barbara Lee Koontz

Barbara Lee Wilson Koontz, age 69 slipped into eternity on June 10, 2018 at her home in Santa Clara, Utah with her husband by her side. She spent her last month’s valiantly fighting the devastating disease ALS. Barbara was born on June 27th 1948 in Los Angeles, CA to Leland Wilson and Ruth Arlene Balcome Arnst. She was raised in Baldwin Park, CA and graduated from Baldwin Park High School in 1965. She married Richard Lee Koontz on February 27th 1967. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles LDS Temple in 1971. They lived in Rosemead, CA for 12 years then moved to Upland, CA in 1979. In 2012 they built a home and moved to Santa Clara, UT.

Barbara is survived by her husband Richard Lee Koontz of Santa Clara, UT and her children; Angela and Rodney Scrimsher (Kennewick, WA) Echo and James Dalton (Santa Clara) Ryan and Juan Koontz (Moreno Valley, CA) Phillip and Lindsey Koontz (Chino Hills, CA) Brook & Kirk Sanders (Tobaccoville, NC) Ricky and Bettie Koontz (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) and Brandon Koontz (Palmdale, CA). She is the Grandmother of 17 Grandchildren; Savannah, Adam, Andrew, Luke, and Levi Scrimsher, Navy, Lullaby, Boom, and Lovestory, Dalton, Stella and James Koontz, Kas, Story, Gavin, Dax and Rowe Sanders, and Stryker Koontz. She is also survived by her sister Elizabeth Lusk. She was greeted in the spirit world by her son Adam Richard Koontz and her Mother Ruth, Father Leland and sister Arlene.

Her funeral will be held on Saturday June 16th at 2:30pm at the Santa Clara LDS chapel 3815 Rachel Dr.  Her graveside service will be held on Monday the 18th at 2:30pm In the Forest Lawn cemetery in West Covina, CA. She will be buried next to her oldest son Adam Richard Koontz.

Barbara loved being a home maker and caring for her family. She had many talents, she was an excellent cook, seamstress and decorator. She catered many weddings and enjoyed fixing large Sunday meals for her family. She loved creating and eating delicious food. She used her sewing skills to make clothes for her young family and many personalized Halloween costumes, and baby blankets stitched with love for family and friends. Her home was always beautifully decorated warm and welcoming. She decorated many beautiful wedding receptions, and she loved helping her daughters decorate their homes. One of her favorite times to decorate was for holidays.  Christmas was a special time and her home was alive and full of the spirit of Christ. Halloween decorations were a must and usually over the top but the family were all involved and looked forward to spooking the neighborhood tricker treaters. She loved the color green, flowers, and going for walks. She taught her children to appreciate nature and the beautiful world God created for them. Barbara loved to go to Disneyland with her family, it was a magical place for family memories. One of her final wishes was to spend a day at Disneyland with all of her family, it is a day that will never be forgotten.

Barbara is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She was a woman who found joy in serving others. She had a sincere desire to serve the Lord to her fullest ability. She was happy to work in the background never seeking recognition or praise. She spent many hours preparing lessons, teaching children, and doing family history work. She loved all of her family past and present. She did not seek or need worldly recognition for her good works. Her diligence in keeping the commandments and her commitment to teaching her children the importance of living a Christ centered life left no doubt of her sincere love of her Savior and her faith in our Heavenly Father’s plan. She was often found reading her scriptures or kneeling in prayer. She had a pure heart and time spent at home with her family brought her the greatest joy in life.