Elizabeth McKay Koehl

Elizabeth M. Koehl, age 83, passed away on Wednesday March 5 2025 at her son’s home in Garland, Texas. Elizabeth was born on December 23 1941 in Edinburgh, Scotland to Isobel Douglas and John Douglas. She grew up in Edinburgh with three siblings; Elma, Agnes and James. She would often tell people to just call her Liz.

She graduated from Broughton Prep School in 1956 in Edinburgh. During her school years she studied French and Latin. She participated on the school teams in field hockey, gymnastics, springboard diving and swimming.

After graduating she applied for a job at a flower shop and at a legal office. She ended up working in the legal office as a legal assistant because they called back first but she kept her love of flowers.

On a whim in 1957, she and her friend went to a dance for the service members stationed at the United States Base near Edinburgh that they were invited to. That's where she met an airmen and her sweetheart George Leonard Koehl. They dated for a while, became engaged and were married on December 10 1960. They were married for 59 years before his passing.

Soon after the wedding, she began the life of a military spouse. Moving several times all over the world during the next 23 years until his retirement from the military. She had 4 sons between 1961 and 1966. On occasions she would have to take care of them on her own when he was away serving his country. She worked at and obtained her United States Citizenship in 1971 while he was in Vietnam as a surprise for him on his return.

Her favorite places to be, beside family get-togethers, were in the garden working with her plants and sitting back reading or doing some form of word puzzles.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She tried to set a good example for those around her. Be kind, fair, honest and very supportive. She would want her family to know that she loved them very much.

Elizabeth is survived by her; son - Raymond D. Koehl, son - Perry L. Koehl, son - Glenn W. Koehl, son - Daryl R. Koehl and daughter-in-law Teresa Koehl. She also has 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by; father - John Douglas, mother - Isobel Douglas, sister - Agnes Fernandez, husband - George Koehl, great grandchild - Brianna Stephenson, great grandchild - Isabela Stephenson and great grandchild - Samuel Stephenson.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Elizabeth memory may be made to American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/

A funeral service for Elizabeth will be held Tuesday, March 11, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Ted Dickey West Funeral Home, 7990 President George Bush, Dallas, TX 75252. A burial committal will occur Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 10:30 AM at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75211.