Mr. John Lawrence Koch

John Lawrence Koch, a beloved husband, father and “Papaw”, passed away at 87 years of age on May 25, 2025 in Rusk County, TX. “Larry”, as his loving wife called him, was born on May 21, 1938 in St. Louis, MO. In his childhood years, his family moved to Meridian, MS where his father worked as a CPA. Upon graduating high school, Larry joined the United States Marine Corp. He served from 1955 to 1959. Upon completing his service, he attended Mississippi State University where he obtained a degree in Ceramic Engineering. In 1961 he married the love of his life Martha Joan Boggan. Larry and Joan raised three children together. In the early years Larry and Joan created many loving and happy homes in multiple cities and states as he was being relocated and working his way up through Justin Industries for Acme Brick Company, who hired him once receiving his college degree. Larry’s career with Acme Brick spanned some 40 years. Many weekends, wherever the family lived, would find them boating or camping on a nearby lake while making time to attend Catholic Mass with his family. They finally settled in Fort Worth, Texas in 1980 when Larry received a promotion to Executive Vice-President in charge of production at the Acme headquarters. They lived there many years until his retirement in 2003. After Larry’s retirement, they moved to the Piney Woods of East Texas to the small community of Lone Star to enjoy their golden years together. Larry enjoyed working with his cows, managing food plots for deer, managing timber operations on his farm, operating his farm equipment and working on his 1950 Ford pickup that he restored. Left behind to cherish his memories are his children, son-Joe Koch and wife Cecilia of Glenfawn, TX; daughter-Julie McCollough and husband Tim of Pryor, OK and daughter-Beth Cook of Fort Worth, TX. As well as numerous grand-children and great grand-children. Larry is preceded in death by his loving wife-Martha Joan Boggan Koch; his father-John Joseph Koch; mother-Catherine Lee Koch and brother-David Lee Koch. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Larry’s wishes were to have a private family graveside service, his burial will be at Glenfawn Cemetery in Rusk County, TX. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordacrim.com.

Mr. John Lawrence Koch

May 21, 1938 - May 25, 2025