| Jay Koonce Austin, TX |
Autobiography – Jay Koonce
I went off to Shreveport, to Centenary College,
mostly to sing in the choir. After three years, I
moved to Dallas, to SMU, still thinking that the
ministry was my future. I got married to a brilliantly
talented musician and dropped out of college to
work. I went off and on to the University of Texas in
Arlington and acquired enough credits in history to
complete a major. I had begun to work for
Doubleday Book Stores, became a manager of the
store in Ft. Worth and then agreed to move to Miami
to manage the store on Miami Beach, and
graduating from college was postponed again. From
there I moved to Memphis and worked as a
publisher’s rep. in college textbooks, visiting all
colleges, nursing and medical schools in
Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi,
Louisiana, and Texas in two different stints of
about 7 years each. In between, I finally completed
my BA from the University of Memphis, with majors
in history and psychology, got a Master’s of Social
Work from Florida State, and went to work as a
psychotherapist. I have co-authored chapters that
have appeared in college texts on Marriage
Counseling.
I’ve lived in Dallas, Miami, Memphis, Sarasota, St.
Petersburg, Tallahassee, Houston and Austin,
where I have lived longer than any other place in
my life. I have a 28 year old son, Sam, who will
begin work on his MBA at the University of Colorado
this fall, and a 15 year old step-daughter Camille,
who has been in my life since she was 18 months.
Both are delightful, creative, sensitive people and a
lot of fun. I have 3 ex-wives, two of whom still love
me, as I do them.
I am an adequate piano player, although tied to
music, and a constant reader, usually with between
5-10 books in progress on my bedside table. My
reading taste is eclectic running from detective
fiction to psychology to philosophy to history. I love
fine art and visits to outstanding museums are high
on my agenda as I travel. I just returned from a
concert tour to England and Wales with the Texas
Choral Consort, where I had my “international solo
debut”. Singing continues to be a source of great
pleasure to me. Most of my professional life has
been spent in college publishing, hi-tech marketing,
or as a psychotherapist. I currently am Clinical
Manager of a drug treatment program for
adolescents from all over Texas and have a private
practice, as well. I am a field instructor and clinical
consultant for the UT School of Social Work.
I’m really looking forward to the reunion and
appreciate the hard work of you who are organizing
it. I wish I could attend the monthly gatherings.
I went off to Shreveport, to Centenary College,
mostly to sing in the choir. After three years, I
moved to Dallas, to SMU, still thinking that the
ministry was my future. I got married to a brilliantly
talented musician and dropped out of college to
work. I went off and on to the University of Texas in
Arlington and acquired enough credits in history to
complete a major. I had begun to work for
Doubleday Book Stores, became a manager of the
store in Ft. Worth and then agreed to move to Miami
to manage the store on Miami Beach, and
graduating from college was postponed again. From
there I moved to Memphis and worked as a
publisher’s rep. in college textbooks, visiting all
colleges, nursing and medical schools in
Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi,
Louisiana, and Texas in two different stints of
about 7 years each. In between, I finally completed
my BA from the University of Memphis, with majors
in history and psychology, got a Master’s of Social
Work from Florida State, and went to work as a
psychotherapist. I have co-authored chapters that
have appeared in college texts on Marriage
Counseling.
I’ve lived in Dallas, Miami, Memphis, Sarasota, St.
Petersburg, Tallahassee, Houston and Austin,
where I have lived longer than any other place in
my life. I have a 28 year old son, Sam, who will
begin work on his MBA at the University of Colorado
this fall, and a 15 year old step-daughter Camille,
who has been in my life since she was 18 months.
Both are delightful, creative, sensitive people and a
lot of fun. I have 3 ex-wives, two of whom still love
me, as I do them.
I am an adequate piano player, although tied to
music, and a constant reader, usually with between
5-10 books in progress on my bedside table. My
reading taste is eclectic running from detective
fiction to psychology to philosophy to history. I love
fine art and visits to outstanding museums are high
on my agenda as I travel. I just returned from a
concert tour to England and Wales with the Texas
Choral Consort, where I had my “international solo
debut”. Singing continues to be a source of great
pleasure to me. Most of my professional life has
been spent in college publishing, hi-tech marketing,
or as a psychotherapist. I currently am Clinical
Manager of a drug treatment program for
adolescents from all over Texas and have a private
practice, as well. I am a field instructor and clinical
consultant for the UT School of Social Work.
I’m really looking forward to the reunion and
appreciate the hard work of you who are organizing
it. I wish I could attend the monthly gatherings.
Jay E. Koonce, 68, passed away Friday, March 16,
2007. Jay lost a heroic battle against brain cancer
just after midnight.
Jay was under the devoted care of his brother Mack
and wife Donna during the last two months at their
home in Deweyville, Texas.
He was a native of Sulphur and resided in Austin,
Texas. Jay was the clinical manager at Phoenix
House in Austin. He was also an active member of the
Austin Civic Chorus.
He is survived by his son, Sam Koonce of Denver,
Colo., and two brothers, Mack and Bobby Koonce,
who live locally.
Jay has donated his body to the University of Texas
Medical Center in Houston.
Donations may be sent to the University of Texas
School of Social Work, 1 University Drive, Austin, TX
78712, in care of Cathy Kramer with a reference to
Jay Koonce.
A local memorial service for Jay is pending. It will be
announced well in advance so friends may make
preparations to attend.
2007. Jay lost a heroic battle against brain cancer
just after midnight.
Jay was under the devoted care of his brother Mack
and wife Donna during the last two months at their
home in Deweyville, Texas.
He was a native of Sulphur and resided in Austin,
Texas. Jay was the clinical manager at Phoenix
House in Austin. He was also an active member of the
Austin Civic Chorus.
He is survived by his son, Sam Koonce of Denver,
Colo., and two brothers, Mack and Bobby Koonce,
who live locally.
Jay has donated his body to the University of Texas
Medical Center in Houston.
Donations may be sent to the University of Texas
School of Social Work, 1 University Drive, Austin, TX
78712, in care of Cathy Kramer with a reference to
Jay Koonce.
A local memorial service for Jay is pending. It will be
announced well in advance so friends may make
preparations to attend.