Frank Charles Koch III

LCDR Frank Charles Koch, III (U.S. Navy Retired) 67, of Pass Christian died Sunday, March 16, 2008 in Houston, TX following a short illness with leukemia. Frank was born in New Rochelle, NY and had been a resident of the Pineville Community for twenty three years. He retired from the U.S. Navy in 1983 after over twenty two years of service where he was a Naval Aviator and a Veteran of the Vietnam War. Following retirement he was manager of Miller-Wills Aviation at the Gulfport-Biloxi Airport. During this time he earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. After receiving his MBA, Frank worked for the Gulf Coast Business Services Corporation as their Community College liaison. When Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College established an Adult Education program in 1993, he became the manager for Harrison County at the Jefferson Davis Campus. In 2003, he was promoted to Chief GED Examiner for the four county Community College District. Active in Boy Scouts for many years, he was a commissioner at the time of his death. Frank was a graduate of the class of 1958 at St. Leo Preparatory School in Florida and was the co-ordinator for their 50th class reunion. As an active member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pineville (now Holy Family Parish) he served as a member and former president of the Parish Council. He was also a CCD instructor and a lector. Frank was a member of Msgr. Leech Council # 4472 Pass Christian Knights of Columbus. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Charles Koch II and Marion Haines Koch Jones and his adoptive parents, Robert and Dorothy Koch. Survivors include his wife, Mary Jane Reid Koch of Pass Christian, a daughter, Sara Jane Koch of Pass Christian, four sons, Bailey Robert Koch of Wilkesboro, NC, Thomas Charles Koch of Newport News, VA., John Philip Koch and William Joseph Koch, both of Pass Christian, a sister, Robin Streets of Lakeland, FL and two grandchildren, Bram Franklin Koch and Amelia Catherine Koch. The funeral service will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Pineville on Thursday, March 20, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. Visitation will be at the church from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Interment will be in Biloxi National Cemetery with full Military Honors. The family prefers memorials to the Holy Family Catholic Church new building fund, P.O. Box 548, Pass Christian, MS 39571. Arrangements were made by Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes, 15th St., Gulfport, MS. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com