C4C Avery G. Koonce (USAFA '28)

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On Wednesday, September 4th, 2024, Air Force Cadet 4th Class Avery Grace Koonce, age 19 of Taylor, was called home to her Heavenly Father.  Avery was born on September 1, 2005, in Round Rock, Texas, to her parents Eric and Kelly (Wheeless) Koonce.

Avery was dearly loved. Avery, in turn, loved life and others dearly. She lived life passionately, being a friend to everyone she met.  Avery had a way of connecting with people, and she had a smile that would brighten anyone’s day.  You only had to know Avery for a few minutes for her to make a lasting impression on you.  Standing only 5-foot 1 inch, Avery was tiny and larger than life at the same time. Avery’s poise in all that she did was well respected by her friends, teammates, teachers and coaches.  She was always determined to do what was right for herself and for others.  When Avery believed in something, she went after it with tenacity and determination to see it through to fruition.  Avery was a fierce friend and would fight for her friends without regard for herself. She showed character, devotion, and strength of heart that men and women twice her age would hope to possess.

Avery attended Thrall schools her entire life and was a member of the Thrall High School Class of 2024.  While in high school, Avery was an exceptional student, both in and out of the classroom, and she embodied all of the qualities expected of a Thrall student.  Avery’s impact reached across the entire campus and touched so many lives.  Academically, Avery was a distinguished honor graduate, the Student Council president, National Honor Society president, Senior class vice president, and she was a two-time regional qualifier for the academic UIL persuasive speaking and poetry interpretation speaking teams.

Athletically, Avery was a fierce and fiery competitor.  Avery believed in dedication and putting in long hours of hard work necessary to be her absolute best.  Often, Avery’s day would start before the sun came up, and her day would end after the sun went down.  Avery’s grit and commitment were noticed by her teammates, which led to her being the driving force on any team that she was a part of, encouraging her teammates with a stern but loving demeanor.  Avery was a role model for both the young and old alike.  Avery was a part of the cross country, powerlifting, and track and field teams, and a proud member of Austin Pole Vault where she made lifelong friends and a lasting impact. One of her proudest days was making the Wall of fame at APV.  Through all her perseverance and hard work, Avery was a four-time regional cross-country qualifier, four-time state qualifier in track and field in four different events, and holds several school records, Earning Avery a spot on a D1 track team in college. Avery loved her AF Falcon track team and was excited to run and win with them.  Avery was also a state qualifier in powerlifting.  Avery was a member of the Thrall Marching Band and played the tuba and was captain of the color guard team.  She was a varsity cheerleader her senior year, Avery wanted to make sure she took every advantage small school life afforded her.  Her presence and leadership were everywhere and felt by everyone, which led to her being chosen by her peers as Miss THS for the Class of 2024.

Avery was a faithful servant for her Lord and savior.   Avery’s servant heart was bigger than Texas.  Avery would stop at nothing for those she cared about. No task was too big or too small.  Avery worked at First Academy and volunteered working VBS during her summers sharing God’s love.  

Avery’s desire to serve is what led her to decide on a career in the military.  She wanted to serve others and our country.  Avery received a congressional nomination to the United States Air Force Academy in March, a task no one from her community had accomplished before.    Avery began her basic training in June.  She became fast friends with many cadets. And though she was only there a short time, she was loved dearly by her Air Force Academy fellow cadets, coaches, professors and leadership. Avery was a member of the Air Force Academy’s Class of 2028, Cadet Squadron 38, and the women’s track and field team. 

Avery is preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Donna Koonce and her maternal grandfather, William “Bill” Memmer.

Avery will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.  Avery leaves behind cherishing her memories her parents, Eric and Kelly, brothers Benjamin and Colt Koonce. 

Also surviving Avery, many loving family members, and an entire community of friends including her First Baptist Church family, her Thrall ISD family, her APV family, and her Air Force family.  Avery’s light touched all and her passing leaves a darkness in our lives and a hole in our hearts, but her legacy will live on through those who were blessed enough to know her.

Proceeds from each C4C Avery G. Koonce memorial bracelet will be donated to St. Jude's Children's Hospital

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On Wednesday, September 4th, 2024, Air Force Cadet 4th Class Avery Grace Koonce, age 19 of Taylor, was called home to her Heavenly Father.  Avery was born on September 1, 2005, in Round Rock, Texas, to her parents Eric and Kelly (Wheeless) Koonce.

Avery was dearly loved. Avery, in turn, loved life and others dearly. She lived life passionately, being a friend to everyone she met.  Avery had a way of connecting with people, and she had a smile that would brighten anyone’s day.  You only had to know Avery for a few minutes for her to make a lasting impression on you.  Standing only 5-foot 1 inch, Avery was tiny and larger than life at the same time. Avery’s poise in all that she did was well respected by her friends, teammates, teachers and coaches.  She was always determined to do what was right for herself and for others.  When Avery believed in something, she went after it with tenacity and determination to see it through to fruition.  Avery was a fierce friend and would fight for her friends without regard for herself. She showed character, devotion, and strength of heart that men and women twice her age would hope to possess.

Avery attended Thrall schools her entire life and was a member of the Thrall High School Class of 2024.  While in high school, Avery was an exceptional student, both in and out of the classroom, and she embodied all of the qualities expected of a Thrall student.  Avery’s impact reached across the entire campus and touched so many lives.  Academically, Avery was a distinguished honor graduate, the Student Council president, National Honor Society president, Senior class vice president, and she was a two-time regional qualifier for the academic UIL persuasive speaking and poetry interpretation speaking teams.

Athletically, Avery was a fierce and fiery competitor.  Avery believed in dedication and putting in long hours of hard work necessary to be her absolute best.  Often, Avery’s day would start before the sun came up, and her day would end after the sun went down.  Avery’s grit and commitment were noticed by her teammates, which led to her being the driving force on any team that she was a part of, encouraging her teammates with a stern but loving demeanor.  Avery was a role model for both the young and old alike.  Avery was a part of the cross country, powerlifting, and track and field teams, and a proud member of Austin Pole Vault where she made lifelong friends and a lasting impact. One of her proudest days was making the Wall of fame at APV.  Through all her perseverance and hard work, Avery was a four-time regional cross-country qualifier, four-time state qualifier in track and field in four different events, and holds several school records, Earning Avery a spot on a D1 track team in college. Avery loved her AF Falcon track team and was excited to run and win with them.  Avery was also a state qualifier in powerlifting.  Avery was a member of the Thrall Marching Band and played the tuba and was captain of the color guard team.  She was a varsity cheerleader her senior year, Avery wanted to make sure she took every advantage small school life afforded her.  Her presence and leadership were everywhere and felt by everyone, which led to her being chosen by her peers as Miss THS for the Class of 2024.

Avery was a faithful servant for her Lord and savior.   Avery’s servant heart was bigger than Texas.  Avery would stop at nothing for those she cared about. No task was too big or too small.  Avery worked at First Academy and volunteered working VBS during her summers sharing God’s love.  

Avery’s desire to serve is what led her to decide on a career in the military.  She wanted to serve others and our country.  Avery received a congressional nomination to the United States Air Force Academy in March, a task no one from her community had accomplished before.    Avery began her basic training in June.  She became fast friends with many cadets. And though she was only there a short time, she was loved dearly by her Air Force Academy fellow cadets, coaches, professors and leadership. Avery was a member of the Air Force Academy’s Class of 2028, Cadet Squadron 38, and the women’s track and field team. 

Avery is preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Donna Koonce and her maternal grandfather, William “Bill” Memmer.

Avery will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.  Avery leaves behind cherishing her memories her parents, Eric and Kelly, brothers Benjamin and Colt Koonce. 

Also surviving Avery, many loving family members, and an entire community of friends including her First Baptist Church family, her Thrall ISD family, her APV family, and her Air Force family.  Avery’s light touched all and her passing leaves a darkness in our lives and a hole in our hearts, but her legacy will live on through those who were blessed enough to know her.

Proceeds from each C4C Avery G. Koonce memorial bracelet will be donated to St. Jude's Children's Hospital

On Wednesday, September 4th, 2024, Air Force Cadet 4th Class Avery Grace Koonce, age 19 of Taylor, was called home to her Heavenly Father.  Avery was born on September 1, 2005, in Round Rock, Texas, to her parents Eric and Kelly (Wheeless) Koonce.

Avery was dearly loved. Avery, in turn, loved life and others dearly. She lived life passionately, being a friend to everyone she met.  Avery had a way of connecting with people, and she had a smile that would brighten anyone’s day.  You only had to know Avery for a few minutes for her to make a lasting impression on you.  Standing only 5-foot 1 inch, Avery was tiny and larger than life at the same time. Avery’s poise in all that she did was well respected by her friends, teammates, teachers and coaches.  She was always determined to do what was right for herself and for others.  When Avery believed in something, she went after it with tenacity and determination to see it through to fruition.  Avery was a fierce friend and would fight for her friends without regard for herself. She showed character, devotion, and strength of heart that men and women twice her age would hope to possess.

Avery attended Thrall schools her entire life and was a member of the Thrall High School Class of 2024.  While in high school, Avery was an exceptional student, both in and out of the classroom, and she embodied all of the qualities expected of a Thrall student.  Avery’s impact reached across the entire campus and touched so many lives.  Academically, Avery was a distinguished honor graduate, the Student Council president, National Honor Society president, Senior class vice president, and she was a two-time regional qualifier for the academic UIL persuasive speaking and poetry interpretation speaking teams.

Athletically, Avery was a fierce and fiery competitor.  Avery believed in dedication and putting in long hours of hard work necessary to be her absolute best.  Often, Avery’s day would start before the sun came up, and her day would end after the sun went down.  Avery’s grit and commitment were noticed by her teammates, which led to her being the driving force on any team that she was a part of, encouraging her teammates with a stern but loving demeanor.  Avery was a role model for both the young and old alike.  Avery was a part of the cross country, powerlifting, and track and field teams, and a proud member of Austin Pole Vault where she made lifelong friends and a lasting impact. One of her proudest days was making the Wall of fame at APV.  Through all her perseverance and hard work, Avery was a four-time regional cross-country qualifier, four-time state qualifier in track and field in four different events, and holds several school records, Earning Avery a spot on a D1 track team in college. Avery loved her AF Falcon track team and was excited to run and win with them.  Avery was also a state qualifier in powerlifting.  Avery was a member of the Thrall Marching Band and played the tuba and was captain of the color guard team.  She was a varsity cheerleader her senior year, Avery wanted to make sure she took every advantage small school life afforded her.  Her presence and leadership were everywhere and felt by everyone, which led to her being chosen by her peers as Miss THS for the Class of 2024.

Avery was a faithful servant for her Lord and savior.   Avery’s servant heart was bigger than Texas.  Avery would stop at nothing for those she cared about. No task was too big or too small.  Avery worked at First Academy and volunteered working VBS during her summers sharing God’s love.  

Avery’s desire to serve is what led her to decide on a career in the military.  She wanted to serve others and our country.  Avery received a congressional nomination to the United States Air Force Academy in March, a task no one from her community had accomplished before.    Avery began her basic training in June.  She became fast friends with many cadets. And though she was only there a short time, she was loved dearly by her Air Force Academy fellow cadets, coaches, professors and leadership. Avery was a member of the Air Force Academy’s Class of 2028, Cadet Squadron 38, and the women’s track and field team. 

Avery is preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Donna Koonce and her maternal grandfather, William “Bill” Memmer.

Avery will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.  Avery leaves behind cherishing her memories her parents, Eric and Kelly, brothers Benjamin and Colt Koonce. 

Also surviving Avery, many loving family members, and an entire community of friends including her First Baptist Church family, her Thrall ISD family, her APV family, and her Air Force family.  Avery’s light touched all and her passing leaves a darkness in our lives and a hole in our hearts, but her legacy will live on through those who were blessed enough to know her.

Proceeds from each C4C Avery G. Koonce memorial bracelet will be donated to St. Jude's Children's Hospital