Charles Dean Koch

Charles D. Koch passed away on January 3rd, 2021 at the age of 88.  Charles was born on September 12th, 1932 to Cobus and Dorothy Koch in Miller, South Dakota.  He was raised on the family farm where he attended grade school until the age of 12.  The family moved to Buckley, WA where he graduated from White River High School in 1951.  Charles enlisted in the Navy where he served on the aircraft carrier USS Philippine Sea.  He served 4 years in the Korean War and was honored with 3 medals (Korean Service Medal 3 Stars, China Service Medal Extended and Korean Presidential Unit Citation). In 1956 he met his loving wife Cherie and the following year they married.  Together, they had 3 children.  Charles was a dedicated loving father and grandfather.  Charles also had a passion for the outdoors.  He loved fishing, hunting and hiking the high and low lands with his son David and grandson Brandon.  He climbed Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier in 1961.  Among many things, he'll be remembered for his sharp and funny wit.  He worked for Boeing for 37 years as a machinist, where he never missed a days work and retired at the age of 62.  Charles is survived by his wife Cherie, his 2 daughters, Tamara Clevenger and Teresa (Kurt) Kaelin, his son David (Teri) Koch, his sister Norma Kosko, his 6 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

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