Obituaries
John Ronald Koch
December 11, 1952 - September 12, 2025
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Obituary For John Ronald Koch
John Ronald Koch, resident of Grande Prairie, AB, formerly of Swan Hills, AB, passed away on Friday, September 12, 2025, after a short stay in the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital at the age of 72 years.
John was born at the Berwyn Hospital on December 11, 1952, and grew up in Brownvale, AB, with five siblings. He married Lorraine (the love of his life) in 1974, and they had their only daughter, Michelle, shortly thereafter.
John was extremely hardworking and started his first job at 8 years old in his dad’s welding shop. He left home at an early age to work for CN as a Timekeeper. He also took a short stint working with a crew building grain elevators in Fort Macleod and Grande Prairie. He tried the logging Industry in Northern Alberta. His true passion became the Oil and Gas Industry, where his first job as a Roughneck was in Swan Hills, where many lifelong friends were made.
John made a profound mark in the oilpatch. He worked his way through the ranks on the rig and eventually purchased his own Service Rig and then a tractor-trailer unit with his brother Jim. After the service rig was sold to Rockwell Servicing, and the tractor-trailer unit was sold to a logging company, John worked as an Oilfield Consultant throughout Alberta and at the Calgary head office until his retirement in 2020.
Not many people know, but John also took a shot in the entertainment industry in the late 60s, where he sang at local dances and participated as the lead singer of “Five of a Kind” in the Peace Country’s “Battle of the Bands”. Johnny loved fast cars and motorcycles. He was a rebel at heart but was an extremely kind man. He was someone who talked with soulful eyes and left behind more than words. The house was always open, and he could throw a good party; food was love, and you could expect to get fed no matter how wild the party was. He enjoyed golfing and later purchased a cabin at Sturgeon Lake, where boating and fishing also became things he enjoyed doing. John and Lorraine also enjoyed travelling in their motorhome to Nevada and Arizona during the Oilfield’s Spring Breakup.
John was a devoted Grandfather to Samantha, who was his pride and joy. John enjoyed teaching Samantha life skills such as learning how to drive a car, how to be independent, how to cook, and especially how to use an air fryer. John was Samantha’s biggest fan of her passion for golf. Above all, though, John cherished his wife Lorraine, and he would often say after the loss of her in 2020, “that life is not the same when you lose your partner”, and he missed her until the day he passed.
He is survived by his daughter Michelle Koch (Jeff); granddaughter Samantha Speck; brothers: Robert Koch, David (Della) Koch, Frank (Kim) Koch, and Jim Koch; sisters Bev (Art) Smith and Donna Koch-Lehners; as well as many nieces and nephews, and friends.
He was predeceased by his wife, Lorraine Koch, and parents Frank and Marjorie Koch.
With respect to John's wishes for no formal funeral, a Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 7:00 - 9:00 pm, at the Crown & Anchor Pub (8022-100 St.) in Grande Prairie, where John will buy the final round.
Memorial donations, if desired, may be made to Bandaged Paws Animal Rescue Association (bandagedpaws.org/ways-to-help).
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