Ken Koontz (a.k.a. Jughead) was a NAS Corpus VT-27 IP from the late 90s and early 2000s. He transitioned to the USAF and was an IP out at Laughlin AFB. I flew with him as an IUT in my first IP tour. That group of Boomer IPs is very tight to this day. Some on this board may remember him.

Sadly, he was killed along with his wife and two daughters. His son, the youngest, is the only survivor of Saturday night's crash. Yet another DUI car crash where the drunk walks away. This time it was an 18 wheeler vs an Expedition.

Tailwinds brother...may God watch over your son.

Family killed in wrong-way crash - San Antonio Express-News

 

Condolences to the families and friends affected. I never met “Jughead” but walked the same Naval Aviation path. God bless him and his family.

 

This is horrible. RIP. Fair Winds & Following Seas.

 

Such a tragedy.
What is a "Boomer IP"?

 

The 96fts family is very afflicted with the early departure of our dear friend and brother Jughead. The accident was a senseless tragedy that cut short so much potential in two young ladies alongside their parents. He was a great IP, respected by his peers and students alike. He was a committed family man and a great Reservist. It is great to hear that our brothers in arms in the NAVY family also regard him with fond memories and admiration.

We also pray for his son to pick up the pieces and carry on the legacy of his family as he recovers from what admittedly is a life changing loss. We have many members of our unit that were neighbors and close friends of Jughead and are sure to keep up with his surviving son's progress as he embarks on this unfortunate and tasking new chapter of his young life.

As to the man that took so much away from this world, I simply have nothing enduring to say. I am of the personal philosophy that we are ultimately judged as men and as legacies, in terms of how much of ourselves we give the world in comparison to what we take. The contributions of Jughead to our world are self evident. The amount of selflessness required of the man who took so much from us is so great I believe it only to be in Gods mercy that we could attain parity, for there is no amount of human penitence this man could give back in his lifetime to make us whole for what he has already taken. I choose to celebrate the legacy of our brother Jughead.

You will be missed brother. Tailwinds always.

 

To be sure, you mean the person posts on here under the username "Jughead", or a military pilot whose call sign happened to be Jughead?

 

VT-27 Squadron radio call sign is Boomer. It was Ken's first squadron as a USN Primary IP.

Clarification: his call sign was Jughead...no relation to user Jughead. Sorry for the confusion.

 

Hindsight...please keep me posted if y'all get any info on services, memorials, etc. I will do my best to relay info as well.

 

Fair winds and following seas to a brother Boomer.
I was of a different time than Jughead but that doesn't change the admiration based on what I'm reading on these boards. Senseless.

 

My sincerest condolences to his family, his friends and everyone that ever came in contact with him. As military members, we put our lives in harm's way to protect our loved ones and our fellow countrymen, but to lose one's life in a senseless act, and nearly the entire family is unbearable.
I did not know Jughead, but I know plenty who do, and to a man, they say he was a stand-up guy, a great family man and a great American. We are all a little poorer today.
God speed my brother.