James Richard Koch

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Nancy, of over 50 years, and his daughter, Kimberly (Kenny) and her children, Jacob and Jessica, his son, Shawn (Christina), and their children Rebecca and Megan, his son, Andrew (Anna), and their children Maria and Frieda, his son, James (Jennifer) and their children Emma and Ava. Jim is also survived by his loving brothers and sisters, Donald (Mie), Dianne (Greg), Dean (Jeanne), Denise (Karen), Erika (Russ), and Karl (Elizabeth), as well as many nieces and nephews.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, Margueritte and Piatt, his step-father John vonRhine, as well as his grandson, Justin Koch-Brigham.

Born January 23, 1941, at Walter Reed General Hospital in Washington, DC, to Piatt and Margueritte Koch. Jim, also known to his East Coast family as Rick, spent his childhood in Philadelphia, PA, Atco, New Jersey, and Bellmawr, New Jersey. At age 14, Jim joined the fire service as a volunteer firefighter, a passion and calling that followed him throughout his life. In 1959, Jim joined the US Navy and spent time in the Philippines, Hawaii, and off the coast of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After being discharged from the Navy in Bremerton, WA, in 1963, Jim worked in the naval shipyards and then worked for Shepard Ambulance in Seattle. In July 1970, Jim became a Seattle Firefighter. In February 1974, Jim met the love of his life, Nancy Sonmor. Jim and Nancy were married from February 1976 until his death in April 2026. During his career at Seattle Fire, Jim spent time driving Engine 40, Ladder 4, with the bulk of his time spent as the driver of Ladder 8 at Station 18 in Ballard. Jim also attended the Washington State Patrol Police Academy and served as a commissioned Seattle Police Officer while he was assigned to the Seattle Fire Department Fire Investigation Unit. After retiring from SFD in December 1990, Jim worked with his brother Don, auditing insurance companies around the US. After finally retiring completely, Jim enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and dogs.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Medic One Foundation or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

https://www.mediconefoundation.org/

https://give.michaeljfox.org/