Lt. Col. Jerry Koontz remembered for a life of military and civilian service to others James A. Jones Jr., The Bradenton Herald Jan. 28—MANATEE — Gerard F. "Jerry" Koontz Sr. of Bradenton, a career Air Force officer, who later led the United Way of Manatee County for 18 years, is being remembered for a lifetime of service. Retired Lt. Col. Koontz died Jan. 19, 2021, at home, with his family at his side, following complications from a fall in October. He was 77. "I am so blessed that he was my father. He was very loving and taught respect and kindness for others," his daughter, Kathe Neely, said. "We always had dinner together with a prayer. He was the last to sit down and the last to get his plate. He was no different at home than in front of others: always generous and giving. It was a great family to grow up in."