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John Arthur Koski
1950 - 2023
John Arthur Koski
1950 - 2023
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John Koski Obituary
John began his career as a health fitness director at Bay City, MI YMCA and then Metro YMCA in Singapore. He loved physical fitness, and he completed thirty-three marathons and ten WorldLoppet 50 km cross country ski races all over the world.
After a born again experience on February 25, 1975, he committed his life to sharing the Gospel of Jesus. John embarked on a bicycle evangelism tour that took him through thirty-six countries over four years. Upon returning to the USA, he graduated from Christ for the Nations Institute (1984), served as a physical education professor at Jimmy Swaggart College, and then became an ordained Assembly of God minister (1987). He served in the ministry at Harlem, MT and Pueblo, CO before becoming an Assembly of God US Missionary serving the people of Dearborn, Michigan for twenty years and helping to establish Springwells Church.
Shortly after retiring in 2021, he was diagnosed with ALS. John then moved to Springfield, MO where until his last day John volunteered at Global Initiative: Reaching Muslim Peoples. Despite his declining health John maintained a positive attitude of gratitude. John always recited scripture and leaned on the verse 2 Corinthians 4:16 - Therefore do not become discouraged. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.
John is survived by sons Isaac (Sophie) and Tim (Kelsey), brothers Ray (Barbara) and Jim (Carol), three nephews and one niece. John was predeceased by his parents, sister Marilyn and nephew Joel.
A Celebration of Life service will occur at Maranatha Village Chapel, Springfield, MO on March 15, 2023 at 2:00 PM. A funeral service and burial will be held at Helvetia Community Church, Hillsboro, Oregon on March 25, 2023 at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of John Koski can be made to the ALS Association Mid-America Chapter www.alsa-midamerica.org/donate
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Melanie Doran
February 26, 2024
John was my husband Robert's and my friend. John and I met in Singapore where I used to live and he led us in a series in physical exercises at our Methodist Adult Fellowship. We became good friends and I even got to visit John, his parents and sister Marilyn in Corvallis in 1982. He had visited our home in Bronson with his sons when they were little and another time by himself. We had spoken on the phone a few times when he was enroute to Orlando for conferences. I have good memories of our conversations, remembering people we both knew back in Singapore.
Jerry and Glenda Boone
February 25, 2024
He was a missionary of missionaries!!
Lawrence S. Allison
April 23, 2023
Lawrence S. Allison
April 23, 2023
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Lawrence S. Allison
April 23, 2023
I not only knew John A. Koski. I went to "CHS" Corvallis High School Or., with him. He was a great swimmer and a friend in ones life. No one could have a better friend the John as a friend. We will all miss you John.
Wendy Platzer`
March 20, 2023
I have known John since the summer of 1968 when we met as instructors for the National Cheerleading Association. He was a 'wild & crazy' guy - full of fun and antics. We have been in touch ever since. He stopped to visit several times over the years and I attended a church service in June 2019 where, as Guest Speaker, he shared his extensive missionary work. He has been an inspiration to me and I will miss his encouraging, faith-filled messages. My last text from John was February 4th. I had no idea he would die just 20 days later. Though his voice was weak the last time we talked, his words were as powerful as ever.
Amy Micka (Truax)
March 12, 2023
I am a grade school through highschool friend of John's. I too came to the Lord. I admired his mission and supported him. He was God's man.
Melanie Doran
March 12, 2023
I met John when he gave classes in exercises at my Singapore Church(Wesley Methodist Church). After he left Singapore, we kept in touch by mail and I had the honor of visiting John, his parents and his sister in 1982. John and his young sons visited my family and I later on and John was our house-guest another time. We are saddened by his passing but know that John is having a good time with Jesus, his Lord. I can see, in my mind's eyes, John speaking with Jesus. Our sympathies to the family. May the Holy Spirit wrap you all in His loving arms and comfort you at this difficult time.
Sharon Godard Johnson
March 9, 2023
John was a classmate at Corvallis High School. We didn't run in the same circles so I didn't know him well. I did learn later that he was taking the good news of Jesus Christ around the world and that makes him a brother in Christ. See you in heaven, John.
Stephen Morisette
March 9, 2023
God blessed John with a great and fruitful life. He lived whole heartily for the Lord. We will miss him. I have many great memories of John, like praying with him for a person to come to know JESUS as their savior and John giving me a Bible to give to them. Or the time a man robed John at gas station and John quickly forgave him and wanted to find the person and pray with him. Also on a lighter note on a kayaking trip it started raining, I remember John saying "don´t worry epidermis (skin) is waterproof!" You taught me a lot John, praise Jesus!
Marilyn Reynolds
March 6, 2023
So sorry to hear the sad news of John's passing. He was a sweetheart to have on our high school rally squad and it was a joy to spend that special time with him so many years ago.
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