James Donald “Jim” Kooch passed away peacefully on Oct. 27, 2021 at his home in Hermiston at the age of 74.
He was born on March 8, 1947 in Enterprise to Don and Maxine Kooch.
Jim’s youth was spent working on the farm and participating in 4-H, FFA and football. Jim was a member of the winning FFA livestock judging and parliamentary teams and was selected as a state farmer his junior year of high school. He was a four-year letterman in football and was selected and played in the East-West Shrine game.
After graduating from Enterprise High School in 1965, he moved to Portland to be a steamfitter apprentice and was drafted into the Army in 1966. Jim was stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War. After being discharged, Jim returned to his apprentice program in Portland, where he excelled and won awards for being the top apprentice.
Jim married Mary Lou Miller in 1966 and they later divorced. They have three children, Tandy Diane, Elizabeth Annette and Donald Fredrick, and moved to Hermiston in 1972 where he raised his family. Jim’s kids were always his #1 priority. In 1980 Jim married Pam Nalley, and they had a daughter who died shortly after her birth. Jim and Pam later divorced.
During separate breaks in his work as a steamfitter, Jim owned his own welding business and a trucking operation. Prior to retiring, Jim worked as a steamfitter in Hillsboro building new plants for Intel.
While his work often had him commuting to other places, Hermiston was his home. Jim was a natural mechanic and enjoyed working on vehicles. He had a love of animals and raised several mules who brought him joy. Inside his home,
his cat Billy captured his heart. He was interested in all kinds of agriculture and currently had leased his land to a company growing experimental corn.
Jim is survived by his children, Tandy Kooch-Cleaver (Jason) of Tigard, Liz Engblom (Lee) of Pendleton and Don Kooch (Molly) of Amboy, Wash.; grandchildren, Larysa Cleaver, Jackson Cleaver, Kimberly Engblom Robinson, Jacob Engblom, Tucker Kooch and Kamryn Kooch; great grandchildren, Gage Robinson and Mary Jane Robinson; and sister, Kathleen Kooch Hanna (Bruce).
He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Maxine Kooch; granddaughter, Kelsey Marie Engblom; and daughter, Abby Lind Kooch.
A graveside service with military honors will be held on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. at Alder Slope Cemetery, Enterprise.
A celebration of life gathering will be announced at a later date.
Cards may be sent to Jim’s family in care of Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, P.O. Box 289, Hermiston, Ore., 97838.
Remembrances in lieu of flowers may be sent to a non-profit group supporting veterans in a time of crisis or need: Conrad Skinner Veterans Memorial, in care of Chuck Wilcox, 33758 E. Walls Road, Hermiston, Ore., 97838.
Please share memories of Jim with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
