George Crosby Kocke, Jr. passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the age of 84. He was a lifelong resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, and a devoted Catholic throughout his life. He entered into eternal rest in the hope of the Resurrection.
George attended Louisiana State University and later graduated from Delgado Community College with a degree in mechanical drafting. He served in the United States Army from 1961 to 1963 as a Personnel Clerk. After his military service, he worked as a draftsman for Boeing at the Michoud Assembly Facility, where he contributed to the historic Apollo Project. In the late 1960s, he and his father, George C. Kocke, Sr., opened 50 Fathoms Pet Shop. George and his wife, Karen, operated the business for decades, serving the New Orleans community until the mid-1990s.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Anne Kocke (née Naples); his son, George Crosby Kocke III (Pamela Mather Kocke); and his three grandchildren, Linus Mather Kocke, Oliver Naples Kocke, and Miles Derbes Kocke. He was preceded in death by his parents, George C. Kocke, Sr. and Mary Houlihan Kocke, and his brother, Thomas Joseph Kocke, Sr.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Clement of Rome Church, 4317 Richland Ave. in Metairie at 11:00 am on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am. Interment will be in St. Patrick Cemetery no. 1 in New Orleans.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Woman's New Life Clinic; 4612 S. Claiborne Avenue,
New Orleans, LA 70125; https://womansnewlife.com/donate.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LeitzEaganFuneralHome.com.
