Kenneth Lewis Koger
1938 – 2021
We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved patriarch. He will be greatly missed. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Ken was born on August 16, 1938 in Claremore, Oklahoma and died unexpectedly at home on December 23, 2021.
He grew up in the Claremore area and attended Inola High School. He served four years in the United States Air Force as a control tower operator at Perrin AFB near Sherman, Texas.
Ken began training as an FAA Air Traffic Controller in 1960. He was assigned to the New Orleans air route. He also worked as an Air Traffic Controller in Texas, New Mexico, and in Oklahoma. He worked for many years at Wiley Post Airport in Bethany, Oklahoma.
Ken had a commanding voice and was grace under pressure. He was well-liked and respected by his peers. He refused to go on strike during an FAA walk-out, stating that someone needed to guide those planes safely to the ground. He was a man of skill and integrity. He retired as an Air Traffic Controller after almost 39 years of service. He then worked as the Air Traffic Control Manager at Wiley Post Airport for a number of years before his final retirement.
Many of our family vacations were spent in New Mexico. It came to no surprise when Ken and Jackie announced that they purchased a home and were moving to Santa Fe. The Santa Fe lifestyle suited them just fine! They spent much of their time soaking in the culture, relaxing, and hosting various family members and friends in their home. He volunteered for the Santa Fe, New Mexico chapter of Felines & Friends alongside his wife, Jackie. They fostered and adopted several cats. He loved his fur babies. They spent nine lovely years in Santa Fe before moving back to Oklahoma to be closer to family.
Ken was a current member of First Christian Church of Edmond, Oklahoma.
Ken loved to play golf and enjoyed meeting his friends for a weekly round at the Lake Hefner Golf Club. He was an avid fan of OSU football, OKC Thunder basketball, and the Dallas Cowboys.
Ken was a former member of the Oklahoma Austin-Healey Owner’s Club. He owned a 1962 Austin-Healey 3000 MK II, his pride and joy, that he spent years restoring from the frame up.
Enjoyed backyard bird watching and Oklahoma history and loved sharing a good bottle of wine with friends and family.
Preceded in death by his parents, Olen Lewis Koger and Helen Bogue Hess. A sister and brother, Judith Ann Koger and David Lee Koger and his son David, Jr; Brother-in-laws, Johnny Henry and Brad Eastman; and nephew, Johnny Henry II.
Survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Jacqueline Jean Vincent Koger.
Survived by a son, Kenneth Allen Koger and wife, Lisa; step-daughters, Lisa Kwaterski; Lori Lyon and husband, Mark.
Survived by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jacob Koger and wife, Megan and their daughter, Layla and soon to be born son, Baker; Chris Koger and wife, Laura; Lindsay Waldrop and her children Nova and Orion Yancey; Shawn Waldrop and wife, Shellie and their children Jack, Madeline, and Charlie Waldrop; and two new step-grandchildren, Garrett and Lillian Thomits.
Survived by his siblings, Richard Koger and wife, Wanda; Linda Eastman; and Barbara Henry.
Survived by his nieces and nephews, Sandy Anderson, Rusty Eastman, Brian Eastman, Rory Eastman, Kerissa Petty, James Richard Henry, Jeffery Koger and Timothy Koger.
There will be a viewing at Matthews Funeral Home from 11:00 until 1:00 on Wednesday, January 5, 2022. 601 S. Kelly Avenue, Edmond, Oklahoma.
A celebration of life service will be held on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens at 3:00 pm. 8701 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Reverend Chris Shorow officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to WildCare Oklahoma.