Oran was born on September 19, 1935 in Schumannsville, Texas to Herman and Karoline (Friedeck) Koepp.
He began his first job working for his brother-in-law’s Mobile gas station called Schneider Brothers where he filled gas and performed light mechanic work. Later, he began working at the New Braunfels Textile Mill, maintaining the Spinning Room equipment. During this time, Oran joined the Army National Guard on May 24, 1957 at the age of 21. He served as a Medical Aidman with the 36th Division Artillery. As someone who preferred being outdoors, he left the mill after a couple of years and started with the Texas Department of Highways and Public Transportation, formally known as Texas Highway Department, in 1959. There he worked in the Maintenance division for 31 years and retired in 1990. Oran performed many tasks during his 31 years, everything from mowing the state right of ways to keeping the roadways free of debris with the street sweeper. The unpredictable Texas weather always kept Oran busy. Whether it was placing gravel on icy roadways or setting up barricades near flooded roads, he was usually the first one on the scene. This was due to the fact that he lived next door to TxDot. “The phone rang, and Oran was at work within 5 minutes.” He was never one to stay idle, so after retirement, Oran started a part-time job working for the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung were he maintained the facility, both indoors and out.
Oran married the love of his life, Nelrose Brinkkoeter on February 25, 1956 at First Protestant Church in New Braunfels, Texas. Their marriage was blessed with two sons, Dennis and Dwayne. They were married for 69 years, one month shy of their 70th wedding anniversary.
Oran was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church of New Braunfels. He was a member of the Hermann Sons – Kypfer-Salge Lodge, the New Braunfels Volunteer Fire Department, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Comal County Sportsman Club and the Germania Farmer Verein in Anhalt, Texas.
Oran enjoyed hunting, fishing, farming, bowling, playing cards, dominoes and dancing. He also liked watching old western movies, starring his favorite actors, John Wayne, Roy Rogers and Audie Murphy.
Oran was preceded in death by his parents Herman and Karoline, his sister Norma Schneider, brothers Hilmar Koepp, Noland Koepp and Elton Koepp and his granddaughter Kailey Nicole Koepp.
Oran is survived by his wife Nelrose Koepp, sons Dennis Koepp (Molly) and Dwayne Koepp (Cheryl). Four grandchildren: Eric Koepp (Ana), Sara Saur (Drake), Jennifer Roberts (Matthew) and Melia Carpio (Josh). Six great-grandchildren: Julian Cantu, Jovanni Koepp, Raelee Saur, Mason Saur, Jaxson Koepp and Stetson Carpio. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Services for Oran will be Monday February 2, 2026 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 777 West San Antonio Street, New Braunfels, Texas with Pastor Paul Owens officiating. Visitation will begin at 1:00pm with the church service beginning at 2:00pm. There will be a reception in the church fellowship hall following the burial at Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park. Memorials may be given to St. Paul Lutheran Church.
