Thomas John Koch

Thomas John Koch, Sr., 90, of Farmers Branch, Texas, took his final trip home on September 21, 2021. Surrounded by his loving family, Tom left us to be reunited with his beloved wife of 63 years, Betty Louise Sturtz Koch.

Born on June 17, 1931 to Karl Alexander Koch and Margaret Lucille McEnulty Koch, Tom was filled with an intense love of family and great wanderlust since birth. Upon graduating 7th in his class from Dallas Jesuit H.S. at just age 16, Tom attended Springhill College for one year. After that first year of college, the road called him to California, where he worked at Twentieth Century Fox Studio and later on the road as a beer distributor. Tom took every opportunity to travel throughout California and the surrounding states and thus began his lifelong love of “the West” and all of God’s beautiful creations. Tom answered the call to serve his country in the U.S. Army. His time in the service fed his love of the road even further, as he explored every mountain pass and village he could access, while stationed in Austria. Upon completing his military commitment, Tom returned to Texas and found his true home in the heart of his beautiful wife, Betty. Married on October 6, 1956, Tom and Betty had an amazing love and a marriage of nearly 64 years that was a reflection of God’s true love. Together they raised eight wonderful, happy, healthy, loving children who gave them twenty grandchildren and four great grandchildren, all who were – after their love for God and one another – To and Betty’s most cherished treasures. For Tom, family was everything.

Hard work was second nature to Tom and it was how he provided an idyllic childhood for his children and a beautiful life for his wife. With his quick mind, strong body, and dogged determination, there was no challenge too great for Tom. His career spanned upward of six decades, including employment with Chance Voight, Mennen, and Norwich Eaton, before sharing in the Lenzen Koch Company, and then creating his own very successful business, Sign-Ko, his “9th child.” Tom’s hard work, loyalty, and high moral character earned him many accolades and awards, and much respect and admiration throughout his career.

“Generous” is one word that perfectly describes Tom. Through his hard work and dedication, he provided all necessities for his family of ten, as well as countless “toys” both large and small, a private Catholic education, a beautiful home, an impeccable yard, innumerable unforgettable travels both near and far, and, most importantly to him, a loving, supportive family. Until soon before the arrival of their fourth son, Tom and Betty were foster parents to three very special boys - for a time, that made six boys, six years old and younger in the house! He hosted gatherings for the neighborhood, gave excessively to organizations too numerous to mention, and, with Betty, helped care for his aging mother, brothers, and sister in their golden years.

Tom took his final road trip with two of his favorite travelling companions, his son Rick, and his brother, Charlie, and together they spent his last days reveling in the majesty and beauty of God’s handiwork, enjoying the road, and drinking a beer or two. Tom’s last breath – on his most beloved wife’s birthday – was of the crisp, thin mountain air of Colorado Springs, as he was surrounded by his precious children. Surely, he knows that he helped to create eight masterpieces of God’s greatest work. At that moment, no doubt, he asked for nothing more than to go “home” to reunite with his dear Betty.

Tom is survived by his eight children, Tom Jr., Rick, David, Bill, Mary, Pat, Juliet, and Terry and their spouses, twenty grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and his brother, Charles Koch, and many loving nieces, nephews, in laws, and countless friends. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty, his parents, his brothers Karl, Bill, Pat, and his sister, Helen.