JAMES CHRISTOPHER "JIM/JIMMY" KOCH

1970 - 2021

JAMES "JIM/JIMMY" CHRISTOPHER KOCH, 50, of Hoagland, Ind., passed away on Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, in Fort Wayne. Jim was born in Fort Wayne on May 28, 1970. He graduated from Harding High School and got his Bachelor's degree in Arts Education from Purdue University in Fort Wayne. Jim chose to follow his dreams and turned his love of farm windmills into a career, establishing JK Windmills in 1998. He restored, rebuilt, installed, serviced, and repaired countless farm windmills all over the Midwest United States. He also served as the Head of Maintenance and Restoration at the Mid America Windmill Museum in Kendallville, Ind., for a number of years. Jim had a true servant's heart all of his life. He was baptized in 2013 and spent his remaining years serving the Lord by serving others. He started God's Army Ministry in 2015 to meet various needs in the community. With the help of many friends along the way (God's Army!) Jim moved furniture, painted houses, fixed cars, repaired furnaces, moved appliances, tended lawns, and met so many other needs throughout the community. He faithfully served hot meals and enjoyed fellowship with friends each Saturday morning for years through the homeless ministry. Jim also served as treasurer for Gone Fishin' Prison Ministry and was a faithful volunteer and loved team member of the Hearten House Gospel Rescue Mission in Auburn, Ind. He was a much loved member of the family of Hoagland Community Church in Hoagland. Jim loved God and his family more than anything. His sense of humor was legendary. To his children he passed on a love of art, muscle cars, hockey, bonfires, Neil Young music, and camo pants. He also passed on a legacy of kindness and generosity, and a great love for life. Jim was truly a great man of God, and a blessing to all who had the privilege of knowing him. Jim is survived by the love of his life, Anne Elizabeth "Beth" (Hombach) Koch, of Fort Wayne; three sons, Jesse Koch, Darcy Koch and Wyatt Jackson, all of Fort Wayne; a daughter, Cheyney Sue Rose of Fort Wayne; parents, Michael and Teresa Koch of Fort Wayne; three brothers, Michael (Tammy Lynn) Koch of Fishers, Ind., Paul (B.G.) Koch of Plantation, Fla., and Stephen (Toni) Koch of Munster, Ind.; five nephews and three nieces, Keith (Terri) and Thomas ("Tom") (Samantha) Koch, both of Fort Wayne, Tracy Koch of Noblesville, Ind., Korey Koch of Maui, Hawaii, Kaleigh Koch of Indianapolis, Bodhi and Ranger Koch, both of Plantation, Fla., and Emily Zent, of Jacksonville, Fla.; one grand nephew and two grand nieces, Dresden and Adlynn Koch of Fayetteville, N.C., and Everly Koch of Fort Wayne; two uncles and one aunt, Frank (Gertrude) Koch of St. Catharine's, Ontario, James A. Butt, of New Haven and Rita (Butt) (Ronald) Presdorf; and many cousins. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Phyllis Price; father-in-law, Stephen Hombach; four sisters-in-law, Cindie Matuska, Christie (Roger) Price Flud, Mimi (Mark) Sams, and Shaina Hombach; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins who adored him. James was preceded in death by two aunts, Roseanne Eichman and Mary Fiorentino. Service is 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, at Fellowship Missionary Church, 2536 E. Tillman Road, Fort Wayne (IN 46816). Enter through door A. Visitation is from 1 to 4 p.m. prior to service. Masks are required and social distancing will be practiced. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on Jim's behalf to either the Alzheimer's Association at act.alz.org; or Hearten House Gospel Rescue Mission at dciconline.org or PO Box 807, Auburn, IN, 46706.