Eugene Paul "Kotch" Kotchick

Mr. Eugene "Kotch" Paul Kotchick, age 88 of Galax, VA passed away Thursday, November 23, 2023 at the Duke – Raleigh Hospital in Raleigh, NC. He was born in Endicott, NY on March 2, 1935 to the late Joseph Robert and Irene Schlosser Kotchick. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his first wife, Joyce Rothlesberger Kotchick; three sisters, Emma Meeka, Arlette Charma and Jaycee Logsdon; brothers, William Kotchick and Joseph Robert Kotchick.
He and his whole family have served in the military. He was a veteran of the Korean War and lost two brothers in WWII. He became director at NASA and traveled the world, but always said there is no place like America. He moved to Galax and became a member of his beloved Beech Grove Baptist Church in Galax. He joined the Gideon's and loved his work there sharing the word of Christ. He is much loved by his family and gave much love to them. He will truly be missed. His motto was God, Country, and Honor.
He is survived by his loving wife, Gloria Ratteree Kotchick of the home; son, Joseph Robert Kotchick of Lancaster, CA; daughters, Cherie Brisson and husband, Kerry of Lake Havasu City, AZ. and Kimrey Kotchick of Reno, NV; stepsons, Chris Jones and wife, Heather of Fries, VA., and Seth Jones and wife, Kristy of Hillsville, VA; stepdaughters, Patricia Howard and husband, Kevin of Edenton, NC., and Ashley Kelly and husband, Andrew of Wilmington, NC; two grandsons, Jared Eugene Brisson and Austin James Brisson; step grandchildren, Damien Garcia, Ethen Howard, Caleb Howard, Trenton Newman, Logan Kelly, Allison Kelly, Sawyer Kelly, Maci Jones and Claire Garcia; several nieces and nephews also survive.
A Funeral Service will be held Thursday, November 30, 2023 at Beech Grove Baptist Church beginning at 4pm. Pastor Tom Burcham will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 3pm until 4pm. Interment with military honors will follow on Friday, December 1, 2023 at the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin, VA beginning at 1pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gideon's International, Galax Gideon's Camp, P.O. Box 614, Galax, VA 24333.