Age 89, Harrisonburg, Va.
Samuel Brock Koontz, 89, died on Friday, January 16, 2026, at Sentara RMH in Harrisonburg, VA due to extensive cardiac complications. His heart became severely weakened after the death of his wife, Jane Carmack Koontz, six months ago. They were married for over 55 years.
Sam was born on July 24, 1936 in Shenandoah, VA to Earl Lynwood Koontz of Elkton, VA and Irene Virginia Brock Koontz of Lacey Spring, VA. He graduated from Harrisonburg High School in 1954 where he played football and was the Senior Class Vice President. Sam joined the Naval Reserves Unit and enrolled at Madison College in 1954. He majored in business and history. While at Madison College, Sam was the Vice President of the Sophomore Class, the first man to hold class office. He served in the Navy on active duty from 1956-1957 where he was stationed in the U.S.S. Gearing, a destroyer, in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Sam worked at Western Auto, a general merchandise, sporting and hardware store while attending college. In June 1966, Sam bought a Western Auto store in Woodstock, VA. He became the largest gun dealer in the Shenandoah Valley and was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce. In Woodstock, Sam served as the President of the Woodstock Lions Club and was a founding member of the Woodstock Museum which opened in 1969. Sam met his wife at Madison College and married Jane Carmack Koontz in 1970. In 1972, Sam became a member of the Kentucky Rifle Association where he took a strong interest in collecting original Kentucky rifles made in Harrisonburg, VA.
In 1983, Sam moved back to Harrisonburg and started working for Watkins-Cottrell, a wholesale distributor of hardware and sporting goods, for ten years. Later, he went to Brown Rodgers Dixson and became District Sales Manager. Sam won many awards throughout his career. Later, Sam worked at the Rockingham Co-Operative where he helped expand the sporting goods department and became the buyer and manager. After retiring at age 70, Sam and Ronnie Moyer attended gun shows in VA, WV and PA selling antique guns.
He was an active member of the Rocktown Historical Society, American Legion Post 188, Fort Harrison, Sons of the American Revolution and was a post member of the Sons of the Confederacy and a former member of Elks Lodge #4150. Sam had a great interest in family genealogy and Shenandoah Valley history. Sam donated a millstone for the Spring House in Harrisonburg’s Court Square.
Sam is survived by his beloved children, daughter, Paige Koontz Sherman and son, Samuel Lincoln Koontz as well as his dear granddaughters, Sydney Ann Sherman and Lindsay Grace Sherman. Also surviving are his brother, James Jennings Koontz and his nieces, Beth Koontz Grinstead (Jeff) and Heather Koontz Gomez (Victor). Preceding him in death were his wife, Jane, his parents, Earl and Irene, his sister, Joyce J., and brother, Earl “Bobby” Lynwood Koontz, Jr. and his nephew, James Jennings Koontz, Jr.
A visitation will be held Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 5 to 7 pm at Kyger Funeral Home, 3173 Spotswood Trail, Harrisonburg, VA. Memorial services will be held Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 2 pm at Kyger Funeral Home with interment immediately following at Lacey Spring Cemetery, 364 Lacey Spring Rd, Harrisonburg, VA 22802. A reception will follow interment at the Ridge Room at Hyatt Place Hotel, 1884 Evelyn Byrd Ave, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.
Donations may be made to the Rocktown Historical Society, 382 High Street, Dayton, VA 22821 or Lacey Spring Cemetery, ℅ Mrs. Glenna Graves, 2621 Smithland Road, Rockingham, VA 22802. Flowers may be sent to Kyger Funeral Home as well.
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