Gene Koop

Born in 1929, Gene graduated from St. Henry High School in Elsmere, KY in 1947. He served his nation in both the Naval Reserves and the US Army, serving 2 years in Japan during the Korean conflict. Returning from service, he re-joined the Catholic Theater Guild of Northern KY where he met his “beautiful wife” Ruth. They married in 1954 and started a family, eventually moving to Kettering, OH in 1960 where they raised their seven children. Gene was a 25 year Frito-Lay Salesman who leveraged his savings with a “pay yourself first” motto (as his children and grandchildren can attest). This led to the acquisition of his Hillsboro, Oh farm. That taste of farm life was a lesson in “building character in your children” – where they herded rowdy cows, drove tractors when they could barely reach the pedals, and had many parties with family and friends. Gene was also a role model in service. Beyond his service in the military, to his church and family, he was an active member of the Knights of Columbus Council 4022 He served as Grand Knight, and Chairman of the Home Corporation that ran the Christopher Club, and became a 4th degree Knight. His years of effort were acknowledged when they named their meeting room the “Gene Koop Room”.

Most of all, Gene loved his beautiful wife Ruth. They enjoyed dancing and cruising and spending every winter with their good friends in Florida. Even in the last years, Gene continued to have a quick wit and a ready smile. He was tenderly cared for in his home by his children, his granddaughter Brandy, and his caregiver Dwayne. He left this life on May 23rd, surrounded by his loving family. Gene is now in heaven dancing with Ruth, who passed in 2012, and holding their great grandson, Calvin, who passed in March 2018. He leaves behind his seven children Kathy Van Cleve, Bob Koop (Anne), Jeanne Reisinger (Tim), Bill Koop (Becky), Carol Lang (Steve), Mary Leonhardt (Jim), and Tony Koop (Melissa); his 18 grandchildren Brandy and Nathan (Niki) - Matt (Stephanie), Janelle (Joe), Aaron (Jennifer), and Jonathan – Justine (Jon) and Max – Paul (Cassie) and Sarah (Jordan) – Ava, Colin and Rachel – Alex and Kasey – Zoe, Xavier, and Isaiah; his 17 great grandchildren – Dustin, Blake, and Brianna – Nolan and Annabelle – Tanya, Anastasia, Lena and Lydia – Jonah, Henry and Hannah – Michael and Alex – Theodore and Calvin (decd) – Cameron; and 3 great-great grandchildren – Easton, Hunter and Owen. Preceded in death by his parents and brother Dick, Gene is also survived by his brother Don Koop and sisters Mary Margaret Mahoney, Ruth Ann Steman and Judy O’Callaghan and a wide extended family, and many dear friends in Ohio, Kentucky and Florida. Visitation will be Sunday June 3, 4-6pm at Tobias Far Hills Chapel (5471 Far Hills Ave, Kettering OH 45429); Funeral Mass Monday June 4 at 12 noon at St. Albert the Great Church (3033 Far Hills Ave, Kettering OH 45429). In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Knights of Columbus 4022 at St. Albert the Great Church. You may leave personal messages online at tobiasfuneralhome.com.

For those coming into town, please consider the Holiday Inn Express at 7701 Washington Square Drive Dayton, Oh 45459 at 937-938-9550.