Orville Junior Koch

Orville Junior Koch, of Bowie, TX, passed away on May 26, 2024, in Bedford, TX. He was born in Clay County, WV, the son of the late James Henry and Mabel Ester Welch-Koch. Orville was a military veteran with 22 years of service to his country, of which the first three were in the Army and the remaining 19 years in the Air Force. During his military stint, he was stationed in numerous locations: Washington; Seoul, Korea; Michigan; Okinawa, Japan; North Dakota; Guam; Nebraska; Bien Hoa, Vietnam; and Florida. Orville’s military career was bookended with conflict starting out with the Korean War and ending with Vietnam. While his military experiences shaped the person we respect and love, the Air Force in particular set the path for his career after his military retirement with Explorer Pipeline Company (EPC). As a petroleum specialist, his first assignment with EPC was in St. Louis, Missouri then later he transferred to Grapevine, Texas where he would serve his remaining years prior to retirement for a second time.

Orville and his wife, Edna, were both fond of the country so upon retirement, they bought land outside of Bowie, TX and built a small ranch where Edna gardened, and Orville raised cattle. This is where they spent the remainder of their years together and made many fond memories for their children and grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Orville is preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Edna Shafer-Koch; his brothers: Roy, James, Arthur, Charles, and Robert; his sisters: Louise Koch, Loretta Kees, and Alice May. Orville is survived by his children: Michael Munnell (Kathy), Angela Scott (Terry), Duane Koch (Karla) and Mia Kile (Brian); his grandchildren: Michael Munnell (Angelique), Christopher Munnell (Aldo), Joshua Munnell (Courtney), Leigha Corbin (Justin), Lee Scott (Taylor), Caitlin Koch, Glen Bridgewaters III (Kayla), Alex Koch (Mary), Taylor Koch, Erika Dower (Jonathan), and Heather Thomas (Kris), Caden and Savannah Dower; great grandchildren: Morgan Munnell, Gavin Munnell, Allie Scott, Kamdyn Scott, Penny Bridgewaters, Ellie Corbin, Jaxen Corbin, Makeilah Munnell, Emma Koch, Charles Koch, Micah Munnell, and Molly Bridgewaters; great grandchild: Kaylee Marie Corbin; two siblings: Tex Koch, and Michael Koch; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on June 15, 2024, from 1:00pm-3:00pm at Lucas Funeral Home, 1321 Precinct Line Rd., Hurst, Texas 76053. Orville and Edna will be inurned together on June 18, 2024, at 10:00am at the Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery located at 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy., Dallas, TX 75211.

On Saturday, June 15, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. a Live Stream of Orville Koch’s Memorial Service will be viewable here https://video.ibm.com/channel/DURgpAb2EXm