Lake Charles – Russell Lee Koonce, Sr., born February 3, 1947, son of the late George Leno Koonce and Hazel (Hargrove) Breaux, passed away, Thursday, October 7, 2021, at the age 74.

Russell retired from the Port of Lake Charles as a chief mechanic and was also a retired rice and soy bean farmer. He was a parishioner of St. Raphael Catholic Church of Iowa. Russell enjoyed feeding birds off his front porch, playing guitar, keeping his yard cut like a golf course, having jam sessions with family and friends, and he was very comical and loved to make others laugh. He will be remembered most for his love of music and the many bands he played guitar with.

Survivors are his wife of 55 years, Nettie “Duzzy” LeBleu Koonce; sons, Russell Koonce, Jr. (Shelly), Horace Koonce; daughters, Natalie Harger (Shawn), Sandy Ribeiro (Dennis), Amanda Foret (Dale); sisters, Patty Primeaux (Denny), Bonnie Thompson, Gaynell Chaisson (Darrell), Melissa Breaux; 10 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren and one on the way. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Paul Koonce, Chris Breaux, David Breaux; sisters, Georgeann Fontenot, Lana Koonce, Teresa Mount.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held in St. Raphael Catholic Church on Monday, October 11, 2021, at 11 a.m. Rev. Tony Fontenot, Celebrant. Burial will follow in LeBleu Cemetery under the direction of Johnson & Brown Funeral Home of Iowa. Visitation begins Sunday in the funeral home from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. and will resume Monday in the funeral home from 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.

Words of comfort may be shared at: www.johnsonandbrownfuneralhome.com

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