Arnold Ochoa Jr.

He fought a valiant fight with dementia and ultimately found his victory in heaven.

Arnold was born on June 14, 1941 in Corpus Christi, Tx. He graduated from high school in 1959. He joined the Army in 1965 and served his country for 20 years. He retired as an E-7 in 1985. He was a decorated Vietnam Veteran.

He enrolled at Central Texas College in Killeen and learned the building trades. He worked for the Killeen Fort Hood Regional Airport and then for DPW on Fort Hood until his second retirement in 2019.

Arnold was a jovial man. He always had a story or a joke to tell. He loved teaching children and sharing his knowledge. He was a Jack of All Trades and loved working with his hands. He was an enthusiastic cook, as he was a mess sergeant in the Army. He volunteered regularly in his community as a coach through the City of Copperas Cove Parks and Rec, an Assistant Scoutmaster with the local boy scout Troop 259, a member of the Copperas Cove Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. He was also a foster parent in the foster care program for many years. He was motivated, organized and regularly on the go. He loved all music and dancing, old westerns and action movies.

He is survived by Diana F. Ochoa, his wife of 54 years, their three daughters: Mary Rachel Ochoa-Ortega, Christina Marie Ochoa-Jackson, Lorie Annette Ochoa-Crabtree; his sisters Cynthia Ortiz and Nancy Ochoa, his brother Richard Wayne, 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Arnold was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Rachel Davila Ochoa, Arnold Ochoa, Sr, and his baby sister Shirley Ayala.

Visitation will be held on Monday, October 2, 2023 at Crawford Bowers Funeral Home in Copperas Cove from 6:00 Pm to 8:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at Holy Family Catholic Church of Copperas Cove. A Graveside Service will follow at 2:00 PM in the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, where Arnold Ochoa JR will be receiving full military honors for his service to our country.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crawfordbowerscopperascove.com for the Ochoa family.