George John Koch

1935 -2021 George J. Koch, age 85, a long-time resident and active member of the Rio Communities in Belen, New Mexico, passed away Sunday June 13th in Albuquerque, following a brief hospitalization for pneumonia. George moved to Belen in the mid-1970s from the Kansas City, Missouri area and was known to many for his outgoing personality, contagious smile and mischievous sense of humor. His family and many friends are gifted with countless precious memories and he is deeply missed already. George was born in Bonne Terre, Missouri and grew up in Jefferson City and Columbia. He graduated from University High School in Columbia with the Class of 1953 before attending the University of Missouri (MU) from 1953 to 1957. While attending MU, he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and served with the National Guard. George was awarded his Bachelor’s degree from MU some 53 years later in 2010, completing a long-time personal goal. He enjoyed an extended career in the real estate industry including being a home builder and developer, agent, broker and appraiser. George participated in several professional organizations including the New Mexico Real Estate Board, the New Mexico Appraisal Board, and the Appraisal Institute. He was an active member of the Belen Rotarians and the First United Methodist Church of Belen. George was predeceased by his former wife, Virginia (“Ginger”) Bunger Koch and his beloved granddaughter, Brandelin Duke Clark (Thomas) and is survived by his children, Karl Koch (Cheryl), New Bern, NC, Rebecca Dedier (Steve), Lillburn, GA, Pamela Duke (Derrick), Albuquerque N.M. and John Barrett (Pam), Pleasant Hill, MO. He had 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren (soon to be 13). George is also survived by his siblings, Karlene Voepel (Monte) of Rimrock, AZ and David Koch (Patricia) of Long Beach, CA. A celebration of George’s life will be held at 11:30 am on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at Romero Funeral Home Chapel, 609 N. Main Street, Belen, NM. Donations may be sent in his honor to Best Buddies in New Mexico at www.bestbuddies.org/newmexico/donate. Please sign George’s online tribute at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM

George John Koch

December 24, 1935 - June 13, 2021