Dr. Tommy R. Koonce, 77, of Denton, Texas passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on April 1, 2014. He was born in Gorman, Texas on September 26, 1936 to James Newton and Ila Myrtis (Robbins) Koonce. On June 28, 1958 he married Patricia Ann Locke in De Leon, Texas. He graduated from De Leon High School in 1955. In 1957 he graduated from John Tarleton State College in 1957, where he played basketball, and obtained an Associate of Arts Degree with a major in Industrial Education. He graduated from North Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts in 1959, and a Master of Education in 1962, and earned his Doctorate in Industrial Technology from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1968. In 1961, Tommy was initiated into Phi Delta Kappa, a professional fraternity. He taught at Benjamin Junior High School in Dallas for 7 years, and taught 27 years at North Texas State University (University of North Texas), in the Industrial Technology Department. He was privileged to assist in the construction of the official mace for the inauguration of the university's 10th president in 1971. He was honored at the Texas Industrial Arts Association Convention as the Texas Industrial Arts Association Distinguished Teacher of the Year in 1980. After retirement he so enjoyed returning to the family farm/ranch and raising cattle. Fishing was a life-long love. Tommy Koonce was a member of Denton Bible Church and served in various leadership positions in a former church. He was a charter member of the Denton Area Woodcraftsmans and Artisans Guild, was a member of the Gideon's, worked on and co-led several Habitat for Humanity home projects, and was a member of the Associated General Contractors of America. Tommy Koonce is survived by his wife, Patricia, and sons, Tommy Kent Koonce and wife, Melinda, of Plano; Russell Keith Koonce and wife, Becky, of North Richland Hills; David Patrick Koonce and wife, Cristy, of Sanger. He is also survived by grandchildren, Collin Koonce and wife, Amanda, of Dallas; Ashley Koonce of Fort Worth, Karina Koonce of Huntsville; Holly Koonce of Galveston; Kyla Koonce of Plano; Garret Koonce of Sanger, and Greer Koonce of Sanger. He is survived by one great grandson, Whitman Glen Koonce, of Dallas. He is also survived by a brother, James Elton Koonce and wife, Diane, of Comanche, Texas. Left to grieve his passing are many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. Dr. Koonce was preceded in death by his parents, James and Ila Koonce. Funeral services will be held on Thursday April 3, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. in the Denton Bible Church Chapel with Pastor Tommy Nelson officiating. Burial will follow at 4:00 p.m. in the Desdemona Garden of Memories Cemetery in Desdemona, TX. A family visitation will be on Wednesday April 2, from 4-6 p.m. at Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home, 705 N. Locust St. Denton.