Dennis Joseph Koch Sr.

Dennis Joseph Koch, Sr., 87, of Fort Smith, passed away Tuesday, October 10, 2023. Mr. Koch was born January 18, 1936, in Prairie View, AR, the tenth of eleven children born to the late George and Mary Tencleve Koch. As Dennis grew up, he developed two serious passions – baseball and cars. That never changed. He served from 1958-1964 in the Army National Guard. In 1958, he married his high school sweetheart, Betty Jo Powers, who remained his sweetheart for 47 years before her passing in 2005.

Dennis was a mechanic and was known throughout the region for his expertise on foreign cars – first Volkswagens and then everything else. He opened Koch Auto Repair in Fort Smith in 1982 and continued to work there well into his eighties after his youngest son, Jerry, took over the business. He was member of Christ the King Catholic Church, a Eucharistic Minister and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Church and family were his priorities throughout his adult life.

He loved camping, traveling and spending time with his immediate and extended family. Late in life, after Betty passed, he reconnected with another high school friend, Rosetta Lensing, with whom he enjoyed traveling, playing cards and trying for the jackpot at the Knights of Columbus Bingo night. His health and memory began to fail in 2020 and he spent the last three years under the care of the incredible and loving staff of Clare Bridge Memory Care wing of Brookdale in Fort Smith.

He is survived by three sons, Dennis “Joey” Koch, Jr. (Kathy) of Scranton, AR, Mark Koch (Jan) of Fort Smith and Jerry Koch (Cris) of Paris, AR; a daughter, Kym Koch Thompson (Mickey) of Oklahoma City; a sister, Jule Rogers (David) of Prairie View and a brother, Ray Koch (Linda) of Fort Smith. He also is survived by 14 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren whom he adored, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be at 5:30 pm, Thursday, October 12 at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rosary Service to follow. Funeral Mass will be at 11 am Friday at Christ the King Catholic Church, with the Graveside Committal Service following at 1:30 pm at Holy Cross Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home of Fort Smith.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ the King Catholic Church, 1920 South Greenwood Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72903 or go to www.ctkparishfs.com