phillip gustaf coontz

We are saddened to share the passing of phil on January 10, 2026. He was beloved by and important to so many people from Utah, Connecticut, and across California. phil grew up in Gardena, California, and embodied the Southern California life. He was a state-champion swimmer, taught surfing, loved roller blading along the Strand, and recently moved to Sacramento where he enjoyed visiting San Fran and the Sierra Nevada. phil was incredibly proud of being Filipino, and he unabashedly shared his culture and loved cooking lumpia and pancit for anybody and everybody. phil attended San Diego State University for his undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice. He completed his Master’s Degree in Student Affairs at Merrimack College outside of Boston, Massachusetts. While living on the East Coast, phil fell in love with theater, and phil and his partner Austin would regularly go to Broadway shows in New York City. phil was incredibly passionate about his work with over 15 years of student affairs, and it is difficult to explain how much he wanted students and staff to succeed in their endeavors. He was there every step of the way to ensure that happened. Beyond his students, phil was passionate about LGBTQ+ issues, and he volunteered to make life better for LGBTQ+ students and staff at UConn, Cal State Fullerton, and UC Davis. He was a multi-year volunteer for the student affairs organization WACUHO and recently joined the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce. phil moved to the Sacramento area in 2022 with Austin to work at UC Davis, and he made a strong community both professionally and personally. Over the last year phil began playing in an LGBTQ sports league, primarily kickball but also volleyball and dodgeball. He brought an amazing spirit and supported to his team, and we will all miss the energy and impact he brought to every practice and game. phil was 34 years old, born June 11, 1991, and he is leaving his partners Austin Spence and Bryan Cox, his parents Angie and Ray Coontz, his brothers Raycho and J.P. Coontz, Austin’s parents Marie and Kurt Spence, and his favorite dogs Boba and Mochi. He had a large personal and chosen family that loved him dearly, and we will miss him forever. We are raising funds for phil’s family, and any donations can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/remembering-phil-coontzs-light-and-love.