Walter Harold Kokal

Walter Harold Kokal, age 85 of Roseville, and formerly of Warren, died Friday, May 1, 2020 at Ascension St. John Hospital & Medical Center in Detroit. He was born June 5, 1934 in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, son of the late Joseph and the late Gertrude (nee: Dobelschek) Kokal.

With thanks and praise from a grateful nation, we pay homage to Walter for his service to our country as a sailor in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War era. He was a mere 19 years old when he entered the Navy on April 1, 1953. Serving for two and a half years, most of Walter’s duty assignment was spent at sea off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. He served with valiance and patriotism until receiving his honorable discharge on April 4, 1955. For the sacrifices made and his willingness to stand in harm’s way for the cause of freedom, we honor Walter’s service and extend our posthumous gratitude for answering his call with pride for America.

Walter was born to Austrian immigrants in Detroit, Michigan. His father, Joseph Kokal, was born in Graz, Austria (its most famous former resident being Arnold Schwartzenegger), a beautiful city in southern Austria. His mother, Gertrude, was also Austrian born. Joseph & Gertrude had two children while residing in Europe. Times were tough there following the war, so Joseph made the trek to America alone in search of a new beginning and the opportunity for work, and ended up settling in northern Minnesota. He possessed skills in tool making which were put to work in the iron range on equipment. Ultimately he moved to Detroit to work in the automotive industry, spending most of his later years at the Packard Motor Car Company. It took Joseph almost 9 years to save enough money to bring his wife and two children over from Europe, but come they did.

Once reunited, Joseph and Gertrude added two more children to their little family, Walter and his younger brother. Walter’s parents spoke German while in their household, but not outside the house. Walter could speak some German, but was unable to read or write the language. Walter would swear in German when his kids were growing up, so the only German they knew were the cuss words,…much to the chagrin of their middle school language class. Joseph died young, in his 50’s, when Walter was a mere 15 years old. As for his mother, Gertrude lived to the age of 102. Walter’s older brother moved back home to help his family and to afford Walter the chance of finishing high school.

Walter spent some time at the Henry Ford Trade School, then enlisted in the Navy, spending most of his time in the seas near Newfoundland. He was 23 when he married the love of his life, Helen, who was 18 years old. They shared their vows of marriage on September 22, 1957 and were together just shy of 60 years until Helen’s passing on August 5, 2017. A dating story that Helen loved sharing was the night that Walter had kept her out a bit too late, and she just knew that it wasn’t going to settle well with her folks. So the two lovebirds hatched a plan to push Helen through her open bedroom window, not knowing at the time that her mother was waiting for her on the bed,…and Helen got pushed through, right onto her Mom.

Walter worked for Michigan Bell Telephone Company (presently AT&T) for 38 years,…first as a lineman, then foreman, then telephone pole climbing instructor, and finally as a cable splicing instructor. Walter was quite the character. He was very social, often opinionated, and he loved the outdoors and gardening. Walter and Helen purchased some land up in Cadillac, Michigan on which they built the perfect family cabin to enjoy some of Michigan’s up north experience. It was the quintessential hideaway, the ideal escape from the hustle & bustle of the concrete jungle and a wonderful respite for making memories. The family also reflects on those joyous occasions when Walter would take a month off work, pack up the family’s Volkswagon bus, and head off on their annual camping venture to Banff, Canada, nestled high in the Canadian Rockies. It was always a trip to behold and the source of many awesome memories as well.

Walter also loved playing competitive Euchre, was a member and involved in several Detroit area organizations to include the Austrian Club, German Club, and the Croatian Club (the one with the best card players and the best music). He loved German / Austrian festivals and enjoyed listening to their festive music, especially waltzes and polkas (particularly if a “button box” accordion was involved).

Walter had a wood burning stove at home that helped to supplement the heat, but he owned it primarily because he enjoyed sourcing the firewood, splitting and hauling the stash. He would take down trees for people just for the firewood,…some of them being very precarious.

An example of Walter’s persona,…an ICU nurse who was tending to Walter recognized his name (Kokal) from stories her grandfather had shared with her. She asked Walter’s son, Bob, if this was the Kokal that worked at Michigan Bell,…turns out it was her grandfather and Walter who worked together for many years, dating back to 1965. Sometimes,…it’s a small world.

Walter loved his wife, adored his children, and cherished his grandchildren and family. He was generous with his time and would go out of his way to help his family and friends. He was truly the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back, and ask nothing in return. In his own Way, Walter touched a multitude of hearts and souls in his journey this side of Heaven,…may he now enjoy the goodness of what God has prepared for him on the other side. Walter will be missed beyond expression and loved beyond measure.      

Walter was the beloved husband of the late Helen. Dearest father of Bob (Michele) Kokal and Steven (Janine) Kokal. Loving grandfather of Joseph, Kristie, Katie, Emily, Teresa, and great-grandfather of 7. Brother of Jack Kokal, the late Erica Schevo, and the late Joseph Kokal.

Walter's Committal Service & Inurnment will be held at 1:00 pm on July 8th at Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford Road in Holly, Michigan, where he will take his place beside his beloved Helen. In recognition of Walter's service to our country in the U.S. Navy, he will be honored with the rendering of military honors prior to his inurnment.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home in Warren, Michigan.

Please share memories at www.temrowski.com.