Photo courtesy of Conner Bowman Funeral Home and Crematory
Jan sorry to hear about your dad.
My prayers go out to you and your family at this differcult time. Please let me know if there is any thing I can do for you and the family, at this differcult time,
Take care my friend,
May god bless you all.
CHUCK TEAGLE
March 16, 2013 | SEAFORD, VA
To the Koman family from the Spooners,
We wish to extend our deepest sympathy to all of you at the loss of your father. He was a very special man. He was such a wonderful part of my family's experience during the Marlbank years. The many lessons (much needed) for my brothers kept the music improving in our household. He will be missed by so many. H. Spooner/Kiser
March 16, 2013
Jan, I was so saddened to hear about your lose. I never had the pleasure to meet your father but by reading his obituary I relize how blessed you and your family and all who came in contact with him are. What a wonderful life he lived. May God bless you and guide you through these tough times.
Bill Smith & Family
March 15, 2013
JAN
I,m sorry to hear about your dad passing away. My prayers go out to you and the rest of the family at your loss.
May god be with you all at this differcult time.
Chuck Teagle
March 15, 2013 | Seaford, VA
To the Komen "children",
I was fortunate to study piano with your father in your home in Marlbank in the early 70s. I will never forget his passion and seemingly ever present cigarette. That he lived such a long and interesting life is a testament to both his fortitude and genius. While he was indeed demanding in our sessions, he laid the firm foundation for my understanding of musical theory and what would later become my affinity first for the French Horn and later the tenor sax,...
Mark Rinaldi
March 15, 2013 | A Marlbanker From Way Back!, VA
Ann, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers! Jeanette Adkins
March 12, 2013
John vanEss Koman, ?Jack?, 94, of Hardy, Virginia, formerly of Yorktown and Newport News, Virginia, passed away March 11, 2013. He was born February 6, 1919 in Southampton, Long Island, New York to Cornelius John and Ethel Sawyer Koman. Jack found his talent and love of music at an early age, playing banjo on the radio at age 6 and he pursued this calling throughout his life. Proficient on many different instruments and in many different musical styles from classical to jazz, he studied at the Ernest Williams School in New York and at the University of Michigan. Jack joined the United States Army Band, ?Pershing?s Own? in 1941 and traveled to Europe with the band during WWII, routinely playing venues where the President and generals met with dignitaries. After the war and after retiring from the Army, he and his first wife, Anne Singleton Koman, lived on a series of three boats while he pursued a new career as a freelance writer. For a time, he was mentored by Aldous Huxley. After moving ashore, Jack and Anne raised their four children in Yorktown while he worked as a technical writer at the Naval Weapons Station. He also began teaching music, primarily brass and piano, to many fortunate private students, as well as teaching brass instruments at the College of William and Mary. After retiring from civil service, Jack developed a love of computers in the early years of home computers and he became a freelance writer, programmer and technician in the home computer and small business field. Jack moved to Newport News in the 1980?s and after the death of his second wife, Annabel Boozer Koman in 2011, he moved to Hardy, VA. Jack is survived by his four children, Dirk V. Koman (Elsie) of Coronado, CA, Anne K. Hunt (George) of Rocky Mount, VA, Jan S. Koman (Kathy) of Newport News, and Joel S. Koman (Linda) of Paso Robles, CA, seven grandchildren, Allison Lampley, George Hunt, III, Courtney Mozo, Dana Koman, Colin Koman, Nikki Woods, and Sean Ditmars, as well as thirteen great-grandchildren.Jack Koman was a man who followed his Bliss. Music became magical under his fingertips or when a mouthpiece met his lips. Words became music when they flowed from his mouth or his pen. He loved many things: music, reading, writing, sailing, his wives, his children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren, learning and teaching, traveling, cooking, everything French, good conversation, philosophy, bourbon and cigarettes. He was an interested and an interesting man and people were drawn to him by the intellect that radiated from him. He will be remembered and missed by all who loved him.To friends, family and all who share this wonderful life:?To thine own self be true,And it must follow, as the night the day,Thou canst not then be false to any man.? ?. Wm. Shakespeare ?Follow your bliss.? ?. Joseph CampbellA memorial service was held at Yorkminster Presbyterian Church on Saturday March 16th at 3pm. Expressions of condolence may be made to any PBS or NPR broadcasting station. Conner-Bowman Funeral Home in Rocky Mount, VA served the family.
Read More
