Thomas R. Koch was born in Scranton, Arkansas to Eberhart and Gertrude on August 15th, 1933. Tom was one of eleven children raised on a rural farm in Shoal Creek, Arkansas. He left this earth to be with his heavenly father on May 5, 2023, surrounded by his loved ones.
He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years. Mary and their four children; Angela Fluitt of Carson City, Nevada, his son David and wife Heather of Albuquerque, New Mexico, his son Stephen and wife Joyce of Garland, Texas and his son Christopher and wife Mary Rose of Southhampton, New York. He was delighted to have four beautiful granddaughters Payge Stephens, Taylor Koch, Hannah DeHaven and Madison Fluitt, along with five great grandchildren.
Tom is survived by his brother Ebehart and wife Eileen, his brother Gilbert and wife Doris, his sister Loretta, and another sister Emily and husband Sammy as well as many nieces and nephews.
Tom was proud to have attended Subiaco Academy, a preparatory school, where he played football, but his true love was baseball. Tom was drafted and served in the U. S. Army soon after high school and served in the Korean War. As his service career ended, he attended printing school, working in El Dorado, Arkansas, where he met and married his beautiful wife, Mary. They moved to Bossier City Louisiana, where they raised their four children.
Tom began as a linotype operator but rose to be the plant manager for M. L. Bath printing plant. Tom and Mary were charter members of St. Jude Catholic Church, serving in several positions throughout the years as a parish counselor, a Lay Eucharistic Minister, CCD teacher and dedicated participant in the men's prayer breakfast on Wednesday mornings. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, serving a tenure as Grand Knight, achieving fourth degree.
While Tom was a proficient printing supervisor, a dedicated and devout catholic, an unrelenting volunteer, a loyal member of the Knights of Columbus and an ardent fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, his greatest accomplishment was his love for his family. He was the most gracious and giving father and husband who possessed a genuine joy for living the true word of God.
For years, Tom found peace and solace with morning spiritual readings. His deep faith was evident in the manner in which he lived his life, often imparting lessons to his loved ones through his gentle nature and authenticity. His loving presence was the greatest comfort to his family. He truly loved his journey through this world and will be profoundly missed.
A memorial mass will be held at St. Jude Catholic Church, on Saturday, May 27th at 10:00 am, with Father Karl Daigle officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family request all donations be made to St. Jude Catholic Church Building Fund.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HillCrestMemorialFH.com for the Koch family.
