John Jacob Koehler Jr.

John Jacob (Jack) Koehler, Jr. MG (Ret), of Alexandria, Virginia died on Sunday, June 10, 2012, what would have been his 62nd wedding anniversary. He was preceded in death five years ago by his lovely wife Zenovia Helen Koehler. He was also predeceased by three of his children, John Jacob Koehler III, Theresa Marie Koehler, and Christopher Francis Koehler, his sister Mary Fiske, and by eleven of his grandchildren. He is survived by nine children, 28 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren and his sister Alice Fahey. His nine surviving children are Alfred C. Koehler, Patricia Helen Harnisch, Elizabeth Mary Koehler, Col. (Ret) Gerard John Koehler, Joseph Walter Koehler, Isaac David Koehler, Bernadette Agatha Mangus, Mary Zenovia Matula, and Zenovia Helen Mackenzie.

Jack Koehler was always a larger than life character. No one could deny his presence when he entered a room. Many knew Jack as a gifted one-on-one talker, an effective persuader, a straight shooter, and often times as a hard-nosed well focused man with an iron will. The latter character traits contributed to his many first place handball championship trophies, to include those from his years of service at the Pentagon. He was also a family man of deep faith. For most of his life he attended daily Mass. After retiring from active duty he and his wife became “Legion of Mary” members where one of their weekly assignments was to take the praesidium Blessed Virgin statue for a home visit and praying the rosary daily. Jack also served as praesidium president for six years.

Jack was born in the Bronx, NY, to the late Mabel (Bloodgood) Koehler and John J. Koehler, Sr, DDS, his military career began after he graduated high school and enlisted in the Army during WWII and was sent to the Pacific Theater. After WWII he entered West Point (’50) and upon graduation in 1950 fought in the Korean War earning several military decorations including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart for wounds received in combat. He held several major commands during his 34 years of active duty in service of his country including serving as the commander of Fort Bliss (TX), and TECOM (Test Evaluation Command which includes Aberdeen Proving Grounds (MD)). He also served on several special assignments including as a member of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) delegation and to President Ronald Reagan’s presidential transition team.

Friends may call the Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 where the family will be present on Friday, June 22 from 2-4 & 6-8 with a Rosary at 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday June 23 at 11:30 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church 310 S. Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Internment at Arlington National Cemetery is on a yet to be determined date and time. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sisters of Fatima, Monastery, Pius XII, Rua Do Rosario, #1, 2495 Fatima, Portugal (C.O. SR. M. Lucia) or Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent DePaul House, 333 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, MD 21727.