Carol Gantt Koschak

Carol Elaine Gantt Koschak passed away peacefully on January 30, 2022, at the age of 74, in Dallas, Texas, surrounded by her loving family and listening to hymns as she entered Heaven. Carol was the toughest, yet sweetest soul on earth; a faithful and devoted Christian, wife, daughter, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and cousin. Above all things, Carol remained strong in her faith. She persevered through a devastating stroke with many complications at the young age of 47, while always displaying a joyful and graceful spirit despite those circumstances. Carol’s smile and laugh remained contagious, even when she struggled to put her words together.

Carol was born in Dallas, Texas, on June 1, 1947, the oldest of two daughters of Leta Mae Harlan Gantt and Holstun Baker Gantt. She graduated from Lamar High School in Houston in 1965 where she was a Bob Hope Lamar Beauty, in the National Honor Society and sang in the Choralettes. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1969 with an English major. Carol was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, which was near and dear to her heart.

Carol married John Karl Koschak, III on April 5, 1969, two years after he took her to church on their first date. After they married, she enjoyed a brief teaching career as an English teacher. Carol championed Karl in his naval career and pilot career with American Airlines, always creating a warm home in 21 locations, before settling in Richardson with their two children, Courtney and Ramsey in 1978. Carol was a member of Highland Park United Methodist Church and an active community and school volunteer in the Parent Teacher Association and the Junior League of Richardson. She also loved calligraphy, scripting beautiful wedding and party invitations. Carol loved to read, quilt and play the piano, but her favorite thing to do was travel. Karl was able to pursue her love of travel and took her on many wonderful trips throughout her life. Following her stroke, he even found a way to revisit her favorite destination of Italy, where she held dear memories with her family.

Carol was a determined speech and physical therapy student, relentlessly working to recover her speech, language and motor skills after the stroke, while leaning heavy on her faith to keep on with a cheerful heart. Carol’s story was featured in the March 1997 publication of Texas Monthly https://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/making-headway/ and she was also awarded the American Heart Association Heart Hero Award in San Angelo. Carol will always be remembered for her incredible strength, as she certainly stood the test of many trials with amazing grace, a sweet smile, a memorable laugh and a faithful spirit. She was an inspiration to everyone she met.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Leta Mae and Holstun Gantt; her aunt, Margaret Elaine Harlan, who spent special time with Carol early in her recovery; her uncle, William (Bill) Ellis Harlan, Jr. and wife, Polly; and her cousin, Mary Margaret Harlan.

Carol is survived by her faithful and adoring husband, Karl, to whom she was grateful for his loving care; daughter, Courtney Johnson and husband, Shane; son, Ramsey Koschak and wife, Shanan; and grandchildren, McKay and Ainsley Harman, and Merrill Koschak. She is also survived by other loving family members including her sister, Beverly Mazza and husband, Stan; cousins, Tommy Harlan and wife, Cameron, and Jeannie Harlan; brother-in-law Dr. Ramsey Koschak, sister-in-law Sheryl Pfluger and husband, Walter; nieces and nephews, Congressman August Pfluger and wife, Camille; Dr. Genevieve Pfluger; Karl Pfluger and wife, Cecilie; Jordan Maedgen and husband, Brody; Seth Koschak and wife, Meredith; and Dr. Mary Carol Mazza; along with all of their precious children including, Vivian, Caroline and Juliana Pfluger; Analiese, Mary Carlisle and Adeline Mejia; Johnny, Hunt and Alys Pfluger; Carter, Charlotte and Coleman Maedgen; and Kennedy and Roberts Koschak; as well as other friends and family who loved her dearly.

We are thankful to the T. Boone Pickens Faith Presbyterian Hospice team for their amazing love and service and to our dear friends and family for a lifetime of love and support.

A visitation for Carol was held Friday, February 11, 2022, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life for Carol was at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Sparkman/Hillcrest Chapel, followed by a reception for family and friends.

View reception images here: https://www.stevecranephotography.com/p1058212915

Contributions in celebration of Carol’s life may be made to The Stroke Center-Dallas, T. Boone Pickens Faith Presbyterian Hospice or a charity of your choice.