Professor Koutz's Biography:
In the 7th grade, Tarry Koutz first felt a passion for music and dedicated his life to teaching it. For 40 years, his service at Central showed a love of music and dedication to students.
Tarry Koutz was born in Alma, Michigan on May 1, 1947, the oldest of seven children. Dr. Koutz attended Alma College, graduating with honors and a Bachelor of Arts with emphasis in Music Education in 1969. He was awarded a permanent teaching certification and accepted a position teaching music from sixth grade through High School. In 1970 he accepted a Graduate Assistantship to teach and attend Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. While there, he taught Elementary Education students how to teach and user music in their classrooms. He graduated from CMU in 1971 with a Master of Music degree. He was married that summer to Marian gayle Hubbard (Poppy).
In the spring and summer of 1971, God worked a career change in Dr. Koutz's future. He had always wanted to teach High School Music but also loved church music. After much prayer, he accepted an offer to teach music at Central Christian College of the Bible. Dr. Koutz then moved to Moberly, Missouri to assume his new position as Professor of Music.
Within two months he also became Minister of Music at Westside Christian Church in Colombia, Missouri, where he served until April of 1997. While teaching and ministering, he also pursued a doctoral degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia, receiving his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Music Curriculum and Instruction in July of 1987. In January of 2000 he joined the staff of Blue Ridge Christian Church, where he served as Worship Minister until march 2006 In 2009 he returned to Forum Christian Church to serve as a Worship Minister, with emphasis in Choirs and Productions.
Poppy has served alongside her husband throughout his ministries. The Koutzes took Central students on almost 100 tours, allowing the students to serve and demonstrate God with their lives and talents. Summer music and service camps for High School students were also a part of their ministry to CCCB for many years.
Perhaps the greatest legacy left by the Koutzes was the establishment of the annual "Holiday Vespers" program for the Moberly community during the Christmas seasons from 1973-2003. The "Living Christmas Tree" was added to the program in 1983 and continued until the final performance on December 14, 2003.
Dr. and Mrs. Koutz have to grown children, Christopher and Julie. Both of them have pursued careers in teaching. The Koutzes now greatly enjoy the title of "Papa and Mimi," given to them by their grandaughter and two grandsons.
Student Appreciation:
Dr. Tarry Koutz made a deep impression on my life during my years as a student at Central.
He always demonstrated musical excellence in every program that he put together for the students. As singers, we were amazed with how much Dr. Koutz could bring out of the group that he had assembled. I was blessed to participate in the high school Jubilation group, Great Day Singers, the Living Christmas Tree, and the Spring Chorale Tour. Dr. Koutz made sure our programs were always well organized, our hearts were always focused on serving the Lord, and our audiences were always blessed by the message of the music.
By his side in everything was Poppy, and they demonstrated a model of marriage for us to see. They worked well together and supported one another to demonstrate their unity and love. Countless CCCB couples have seen in their marriage an example of what it means to minister together and use their strengths to help one another.
But Dr. Koutz didn’t only share his music and his marriage with the College. During his forty years as a professor, he utilized many gifts to meet the needs of the College. He shared his skills in carpentry, technical expertise in sound and lighting, and his generous spirit to make sure the school had more than it could have otherwise afforded.
Dr.Koutz left his students with many memories of concerts on stage, travels on a tour bus, and lessons in the classroom. We are all richer for his contribution as a professor to Central’s heritage.
