Charles Henry Koch

Longtime Medina County rancher and educator Charles Henry “Beaner” Koch passed away Thursday, May 2, 2013, at Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo. He was 85.

Koch was a member of the undefeated 1945 Hondo Owls football team, which won the regional championship. After serving in the United States Army during the Korean War, he played football at Southwest Texas State University, where he went on to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree.

He then began his coaching career in 1952 in Castroville at what is now Medina Valley High School, where he was the school’s first football, basketball and baseball coach.

After three years, he moved on to Poth where he continued to coach three sports. In Poth, Koch led the Pirates to an undefeated season and regional championship in football in 1957, which was part of a 23-game winning streak, and four regional championships in baseball. In those years, Class B teams did not advance past regionals.

Koch then moved to Brackettville in 1962. He was both the athletic director and a principal. He led the Brackett Tigers to numerous district championships in both football and basketball. Koch was the principal of Jones Elementary for 20 years. He retired from coaching in the mid-1980s after a brief stint at Laredo Nixon.

He was an active member of the Brackettville Rotary Club, Kinney County Chamber of Commerce, and the Ballinger Knights of Columbus, Council #10985. Koch also worked at the Border Olympics in Laredo for over 30 years.

After retirement Koch enjoyed ranching in Yancey, and then in Ballinger in recent years.

Koch was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Nettie Koch; three brothers, R.J., Floyd and Roy Koch; and two sisters, Evelyn Highsmith and Gertrude Moebius.

He is survived by his wife June Koch of Ballinger; two daughters, Diane Ward and husband Richard of Brackettville and Nancy Tokaz of Kerrville; three sons, Tony Koch and wife Anna of Kerrville, Paul Koch and wife Teresa of Fort Worth, and David Koch and wife Dorothy of Medina; step-children, Brad and Richard Holms of Fort Worth and Brenda Holms of Hutto; sister, Kate Highsmith of Hondo; brother, Donnie Koch and wife Pat of Abilene, and sister in law Doris Koch of Conroe; and aunt, Clara Bell Koch of Hondo; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, step grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Wake service will be held at 7:00 pm, Monday May 6th, at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am, Tuesday May 7th, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Ballinger.

Services are under the direction of Lange Funeral Home of Ballinger. Guests may register at ballingerfuneralhome.com.