James A. Koch

James A. Koch, 86, of Pottstown, Pennsylvania passed away on October 31, 2025.

James is survived by his wife, Leona Bailey Koch; his children Melissa Abramczyk (Timothy) and Terrence Koch (Jerri); stepchildren Debra Bailey and Patricia Tsipras (Seraphim) and brothers Pete and Herman. He was preceded in death by his first wife Veronica (née Kase) brothers Joe, Fritz and Tony; and sisters Margaret and Tess. He will be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren: Alex, Erik, Cassie, Hannah, Aiden, Veronica, Alexandra, Jacob and Brock.

Before working at Bally Ribbon for 44 years, he proudly served his country in the U.S Army.

He was the Commander in "Chef" in his home kitchen. Sniffle or cough while in his presence and you'd find a container of delicious homemade soup on your porch step within hours. (It was the kind of thing that fake sniffles and coughs were made of).

You've heard the expression, "Too many cooks in the kitchen"... While employed as a weekend cook at Sunnybrook Restaurant, during a shift change, he accidentally poured the remaining contents of one soup pot into the pot of a different kind and inadvertently created a concoction that became the most requested soup on the buffet line in the weeks that followed.

Unable to break his work schedule routine, James was early to bed and early to rise each day. For decades, he spent his early mornings walking over at the Coventry Mall and sharing coffee and conversation thereafter in the food court. It was there that he met Geoff Bartlett who he described as the best friend he's ever had.

Special thanks to his cousins Kenny and Brenda, and other family and friends who visited with James and provided steadfast companionship as his health declined.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in James Koch's name to Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 610 Pine St. Bally, PA 19503.

A funeral Mass will be said at Most Blessed Sacrament Church at the above address on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 10 AM . Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Pennsburg, PA.