Phillip Michael Koon

Phillip Michael Koon, 70, of Gainesville, Florida passed away on January 13, 2024 after a two year battle with cancer. On his journey home, he was surrounded by those who loved him. He was the youngest of two children born to Gilda and Amma Lou Koon of Ichetucknee Springs in Suwannee County, Florida. He attended 1st through 12th grades in Branford, Florida, received two degrees from Lake City Community College (now Florida Gateway College), and a double degree in Agricultural Extension and Education from the University of Florida. He attended Lake City Community College on a track scholarship and worked to pay his way through college at the University of Florida via employment with Farmers Home Administration. 

Phillip’s life work was in animal nutrition. Over his 30 plus year career, he worked for Ralston Purina, ConAgra, and Cargill/Nutrena. Outside of work, when he wasn’t with his family, at the gym, or a University of Florida event, he devoted much time to the Appalachia Service Project, Habitat for Humanity, Living Water Wells in several countries, Porch de Salomon in the Western Highlands of Guatemala, served the homeless with Called to Action Gainesville, and served on the Trinity United Methodist Missions team.  Phillip also served the communities in which he lived. He ran for Alachua County School Board in 2002, was a former board member and president of his neighborhood association in Gainesville, he served as a member of the board at his condo association in St. Augustine, and, for a brief time, he served as President of GatorTown Gators, supporting University of Florida cheerleaders, mascots, and Dazzlers. He was also a member of the Gainesville Quarterback Club. 

Phillip never met a stranger. He made friends all over the world, yet kept his family and extended family close to him. His life was deeply enriched by the many relationships he built with others. He always told people that he loved them. He lived with cancer well until he couldn’t. He had a bucket list, and he/we did the things. His last international trip was traveling to Cuba with a Trinity team in April of 2023. The cancer beat his body, but never broke his spirit. 

Phillip is survived by his wife of almost 43 years, Anne Lutz Koon of Gainesville, Florida; his son, Collin Koon of Emeryville, California; his daughter, Erin Koon of Longmont, Colorado; his sister, Phyllis Koon Sikes (Cleve) of Branford, Florida; his brother-in-law, Robert H. Lutz (Suzy) of Davidson, North Carolina; his mother-in-law, Judy Gabel Roeling of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and his stepmother-in-law, Nelle Stephan-Lutz of Keystone Heights, Florida. He also leaves behind his niece, Shannon Sikes Miller (Jim); his nephews, Steve Sikes, James Lutz, and Brendan Lutz, as well as great nieces and nephews, Skylar Sikes Dyck (Graham), Emilee Miller Holt (Caleb), Sarah Miller, Rachel Miller, Reed Sikes and Oliver Lutz. The extended family he leaves behind includes aunts, uncles, cousins, Molly the Beagle (his girlfriend), and all who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Trinity United Methodist Missions. Donations can be made online at https://trinitygnv.org/missions or by mailing a check to Trinity United Methodist Church, 4000 NW 53rd Ave, Gainesville, FL 32653. Please indicate in the online pull-down menu or in your check memo Missions: Disaster Response, Missions: Neighborhood Outreach, or Missions: Supporting Youth in Gainesville.