Roger Kenneth Kooch, 76, passed away in his home in New Plymouth, Idaho, on September 9, 2017, after a three-year battle with lung cancer. He was born in Enterprise, Oregon, on November 8, 1941, to Kenneth Burl Kooch and Roanna Locke Kooch. He attended all grades at the Enterprise School, graduating high school in 1959. He attended EOSC in La Grande, Oregon, for two years before transferring to U of I in Moscow, Idaho. Roger married Julie Davis in August 1964. They both attended U of I where they graduated June 1966. He served in the Army Reserves. Following college graduation, Roger took a job with Farmers Home Administration in Ontario, Oregon, where he worked until the following March (1967), at which time he took the position of assistant manager/grain buyer for the farm Co-Op (Wallowa County Grain Growers) in Enterprise where he worked until 1978. After that he ran the ranch on Joseph Creek. Two children were born to the marriage: Kurt Roger Kooch (Nampa, Idaho) and Katrina LaRee Johnston (New Plymouth, Idaho). In 1985, Roger moved to the Hermiston, Oregon, area where he spent the majority of the remainder of his life. For many years he then worked at Pendleton Grain Growers while running his own herd of cattle. Roger was passionate about anything related to livestock. He was an extremely involved 4-H and FFA member in his youth and continued to be a huge advocate of both programs his entire life. He thoroughly enjoyed going for drives, attending fairs, rodeos, and livestock auctions. Roger was preceded in death by his grandparents and parents. He is survived by his two younger brothers Reid (Linda) of Enterprise and Ross of Prineville, Ore., as well as two nieces and four nephews. He is also survived by his son Kurt; daughter Katrina (Gary) Johnston; granddaughter Jessica Kooch of Pendleton, Ore.; and two grandsons, Clancy and Caleb Johnston, who both attend Boise State University. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 16th at the Enterprise First Baptist Church. A graveside will follow at the Alder Slope Cemetery. A potluck will be held for all friends and family following the services at the home of Julie Kooch, 83349 West Dorrance Lane, Enterprise. Table service, drinks, sandwiches, and chips will be provided. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to: Enterprise FFA, 201 S.E. Fourth St., Enterprise, OR 97828.
Service Details.
Service
When:
Saturday, September 16th, 2017
Location:
Funeral Home
Address: