Al Koch

Al Koch, 89, of Pampa, passed away on Saturday, October 14, 2023 in Pampa.

Services will be at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at the Zion Lutheran Church with Rev. Michael Erickson, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at 2:00 PM at St John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Lipscomb.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at the funeral home.

Al was born on May 30, 1934, on a farm, in Lipscomb County to Hillmer Koch and Charlotte “Lottie” Meller Koch. He was the first of seven children. Al attended Lipscomb, Higgins, and Darrouzett schools and was a graduate of Darrouzett High School. In 1953, Al began working for Boeing Aircraft and later BF Goodrich in Amarillo. He was called to serve in the United States Army in 1955. Al was stationed in Germany before being honorably discharged in 1957. When he returned home from Germany, Al went right back to work at BF Goodrich. In 1958, Al moved to Pampa where he met Jimmie Laferne Cannon. They were married on October 30, 1959 at the pastor’s parsonage in Lipscomb. Right after they were pronounced man and wife the pastor’s cuckoo clock cuckooed.

Al worked for Brooks Electric then for Harold Barrett Ford. He was known for being an extremely knowledgeable parts man. Al once told his son when asked if he could fix something, “There’s nothing I can’t fix.” After 29 years of service at Harold Barrett Ford, Al went to work for Gray County as a heavy equipment mechanic. He worked there for 10 years until his retirement. Al’s retirement was short-lived when his love of farming had him working for Tom Henderson on his farm in Laketon. In his free time, Al repaired combines and trucks for his family’s custom cutting business. He was a faithful member of the Zion Lutheran Church.

Al was preceded in death by his parents, Hillmer and Lottie Koch; and one brother, Ervin Koch.

He is survived by his wife, Jimmie Koch of the home; son, Gregory Koch and wife Labrenda of Pampa; a granddaughter, Jessica Morin and husband Mitch of Chicago; two great-grandchildren, Lottie and Levi Morin of Chicago and one on the way; two brothers, Merlin Koch and wife Jettie of Amarillo and Vernon Koch and wife Fae of Guymon, Oklahoma; three sisters, Luella Miller and husband Ernest of Booker, Dianna Schwab and husband Clifford of Panhandle, and Linda Rader and husband Steve of Canadian; one sister-in-law, Nina Koch of Lipscomb; and a multitude of nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church, 1200 N Duncan, Pampa, Texas, 79065.