John Koch

John Markus Koch, 72, passed away Friday, Sept. 28, 2018, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau after a brief illness.

He served as a veterinarian in Cape Girardeau for 48 years, and will be greatly missed by his family and friends in the community.

He was born June 20, 1946, in Van Nuys, California, to Markus and Doris Geske Koch.

He grew up in Sikeston, Missouri, with his brother, Tim, and sister, Becki. He was active in Trinity Lutheran Church, where his father served as a minister. He played sports throughout his time at Matthews High School and graduated as salutatorian in 1964. He attended college at the University of Missouri-Columbia and graduated from the School of Veterinary Medicine in 1970. He then moved back to Southeast Missouri to start practicing veterinary medicine.

John married his wife, Judy Ann Throckmorton, on June 26, 1971, in Columbia. They have three sons, James, Jeffrey and Jonathan. He dearly loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. His family was the light of his life.

John was a man of faith and had been active in the church since childhood. John and Judy have been members of St. Andrew Lutheran Church since 1971. He served in multiple capacities over the years and was president of the congregation from 1987-1988.

Dr. Koch had a life-long fondness for animals, which was apparent to all those around him. Animal lovers knew him for making many house calls and late-night emergency visits over the years. He opened Cape Small Animal Clinic in September 1974. He had an interest in orthopedic surgery and made it a focus of his practice. He operated the clinic for 43 years before turning it over to Dr. Brian Heuring in January 2018. Dr. Koch continued to practice there until shortly before his death. He was president of the Humane Society in Cape Girardeau for many years. He served as president of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association from 1990-1991 and was honored as Missouri Veterinarian of the Year in 1995. He also authored the "Ask the Vet" column in the Southeast Missourian for many years.

He had many diverse interests, including painting, gardening, fishing, photography and woodworking. In recent years, he completed a fellowship in woodworking and taught classes on wood engraving at various programs throughout the Midwest. He loved sports and avidly followed the St. Louis Cardinals and Missouri Tigers. He served in many community organizations, and was passionate about the Rotary Club, where he had perfect attendance for over 40 years. Despite his recent illness, he gave a speech to the local chapter just three weeks before his death.

John's family was his proudest accomplishment. He is survived by his wife, Judy; sons, James (Heather) of Columbia, Jeffrey (Julie) of Cape Girardeau and Jonathan of Columbia; grandchildren, Sawyer, Peyton, Grant and Brett of Cape Girardeau and John and Joseph of Columbia; mother, Doris, brother, Tim (Nellie), and sister, Becki of Sikeston; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

His father preceded him in death.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. Andrew Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at Cape County Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorials or contributions be made to St. Andrew Lutheran Church, the Humane Society or Autism Speaks.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.