Joseph John Koczur's Obituary
JOSEPH J. KOCZUR, SR. 1930 - 2008 Joseph J. Koczur, Sr. was born on January 7, 1930 in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. He joined the United States Army in 1948 and served in Japan, Okinawa, Korea, and Germany, as well as stateside assignments at Fort Gordon, GA, Fort Lewis, WA and The Presidio of San Francisco. Upon his retirement from the Army in 1968, he worked at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Lakewood, WA first as an aide on the wards, then as an administrative specialist. After retiring from the VA in 1992 he pursued his interests in bowling, fishing, gardening, skeet shooting, traveling, bird watching, stamp collecting and military crest collecting. He also volunteered at the VA and the Ft. Lewis Military Museum. He passed peacefully unto the Lord on April 9, 2008 with his wife and son at his side. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Ayako, his son Joe, Jr., his second son Doug Walters, his brother William Koczur and sister Ann Helinski. His infectious smile, his willingness to see the best in everyone and to help whomever and wherever he could will be missed, as will his love of children and puppies. The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at the St. Clare Hospital Emergency Room and ICU for the wonderful and compassionate care that they provided for our father during his last days. We would also like to thank the staff of Franciscan Hospice and Hospice House for their care and compassion for both Joe, Sr. and the family. A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, May 3rd, 2008 at St. John Bosco Catholic Church, 10508 112th St. SW, Lakewood, WA. Rosary will be at 10:00 AM with Mass to follow at 11:00 AM and a reception at 12:00.
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