Koonce receives distinguished service citation

CONTACT INFORMATION

COLUMBIA, Mo., April 15, 2026 – The Missouri FFA Association recognized Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Don Koonce with the Distinguished Service Citation at the 98th Missouri State FFA Convention. LTC Koonce was honored for his service to agricultural education and the Missouri FFA Association.

LTC Koonce has 30 years of service to the Missouri Army National Guard in the 203rd Combat Heavy Engineer Battalion, including a deployment to Baghdad. Since retiring he has actively advocated for veterans serving with the Missouri National Guard Retiree Council and as the Missouri Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve vice chair.

LTC Koonce’s contributions to agricultural education and Missouri FFA is rooted in his service providing motivational messages to FFA members at Missouri FFA Leadership Camp and numerous other FFA and school assemblies.

LTC Koonce graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla. Koonce received his Master of Business Administration from William Woods University, Fulton,  and a Doctor of Education in character education from the University of Missouri, St. Louis.

LTC Koonce resides in Holts Summit with his wife Norma. They have two children, ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

The Missouri FFA has 27,000 members representing 369 chapters. The national organization has more than 1,042,245 members representing 9,407 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

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