Henning J. Koch

HENNING J. KOCH NOV. 25, 1925 - APRIL 21, 2006 Henning was born in Sacramento, CA. At the age of two the family moved to Stevinson, California where he spent the rest of his life.

He was a rancher all of his life raising cattle, Appaloosa horses and Quarter horses that he dearly loved. He went to Merquin Grammar School in Stevinson and Hilmar High School.

He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Suzanne, daughter, Sherri Mell, son, Roy Scott, grandchildren, Jessica & Jeffrey Scott, niece, Aggie Koch and great nephews, James Dillon Koch, Sammy Koch and Jake Henning Koch. His parents, Agnes & Henning Hans Peter Koch and his brother, James Henning Koch preceded him in death.

Henning was a calf roper and team roper and traveled around the rodeo circuit in California, Nevada, Oregon and Arizona rodeoing extensively and winning many all around awards. He was inducted into the Appaloosa Hall of Fame in 2003 and was a lifetime member of the Appaloosa Horse Club. He showed in many events in the Appaloosa competitions from cutting, team roping, calf roping, steer daubing, barrel racing, pole bending, pleasure, pairs, keyhole, and breakaway roping and was very successful in all he undertook. He also showed in the AQHA shows in the'60s & '70s. Along with the horse shows and rodeoing, he and his wife and many race horses and won the Star of Stars Futurity with Sisterie who ended up the top 2 year old mare in the Nation in 1979. His daughter, Sherri, successfully competed in both Western and English riding from cutting and roping to hunters and jumpers. In 2004 Sherri was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in Ft. Worth, TX and Henning was there to see this momentous occasion.

Henning belonged to the Porsche Club of America, the American Quarter Horse Association, the Appaloosa Horse Club, the Shaun-Gae Appaloosa Club, Cal Western Appaloosa Association, Sr Pro Rodeo Association, and was one of the founding members of the California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association. In later years Henning successfully rodeoed in the SPRA and traveled to Wyoming, Idaho, Montana and Canada competing in the 60+ age group in the tie down calf roping and team roping. He was known for his roan Midnight horses and rode them for over 50 years.

Henning traveled extensively and had been to Europe, the Far East, South America, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. He always drew a lot of attention everywhere he went as he dressed as the rancher and cowboy that he was and people of other countries were fascinated by him and his lifestyle. He made many friends all over the world and always had a grand time wherever he went. One of his passions was the family 911L Porsche that he drove in rallies all over northern and central California. He always said he had to be the driver and Suzanne had to give the directions because if he tried to tell her where to go she probably wouldn't pay any attention to him. He had a wonderful dry sense of humor and an incredible memory.

Remembrances may be made to: The Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, 101 Pro Rodeo Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919 or to the Schriners Hospital for Children, 2425 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817. A Celebration of Life will be Wednesday, April 26, 2006, 11:00 AM at Allen Mortuary, 247 N. Broadway, Turlock CA. Burial to follow at the Sunnyside Cemetery, Stevinson, CA.

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