Velma Irene Koch's Obituary
Velma Irene Koch, age 95, of Dallas, Texas, passed away on May 14, 2021. A graveside service will be held at Restland of Dallas, Garden of the Trinity, on Saturday, May 22, 2021, 11 a.m. The graveside service is open to all family and friends. She was born in Gatesville, Texas, October 26, 1925 to Eric and Nora Miller, who preceded her in death. Also preceded in death by a brother, Eric Weldon Mueller. She attended Plainview Community School and Gatesville High School. She was active in the Bethel Heights Community German church. She played basketball, helped pick cotton on the family farm and had some harrowing experiences riding her horse to school. Velma was married for 49 years to Alvin Koch who preceded her in death in 1996. She and Alvin made their first home in Waco and later followed his positions with Firestone through Corsicana, Ft Worth, Garland and Dallas. They worked together in their tire business in Oak Cliff and Dallas for 35 years and loved to travel together. They loved their visits to Europe, Hawaii, Alaska and throughout the lower 48 United States, always connecting with extended family and friends wherever they went. She attended South Garland Baptist Church.
Velma is survived by three children, Peggy (Jim) Kean of North Carolina, Larry (Jackie) Koch of Houston, Texas, and Sherry (Mike) Looney of Rowlett, Texas. Also surviving are her seven grandchildren: Craig Kean of North Carolina; Caryn Bishop of Lubbock, Texas, Leigh Anne Bryant of Houston, Texas, Allen Koch of Fort Worth, Texas, Eric Looney of Prosper, Texas, Kendall Looney of Las Vegas, NV, and Joe Looney of Lubbock, Texas. This group includes ministers, counselors, engineers, accountants and educators, all inspired and influenced by their grandparents’ example. Also surviving are 11 great grandchildren and her sister, Bonnie Fawcett of Burnet, Texas as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Velma was an accomplished homemaker and hostess, always welcoming out of town visitors to her home; everyone left with a satisfied appetite and happy heart. She cared for Alvin at home through his battle with cancer, working tirelessly with him to the end of his days. She persevered through 25 years of widowhood always willing to help with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She continued to live life to the fullest with her family just as Alvin had instructed her.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made as donations to local churches’ music and elderly ministry programs. Special thanks to Rickard Hess of South Garland Baptist Church who was a faithful visitor and minister to her until the end. Special thanks to Legend Oaks Nursing Home and Denise Winston of Precise Personalized Care Hospice for their loving care.
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