Thomas Edward Koch, 70, of rural Columbia City, died at 10:36 p.m. Thursday, November 17, 2020, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, after a month-long battle with COVID-19.

He was born August 1, 1950, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a son of the late Robert and Portia (Heidrich) Koch. Growing up in Fort Wayne, he attended Cathedral Elementary and graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1968.

On October 10, 1970, he married his high school sweetheart, Sandra Louise Runkle. They made their home in Allen County near Churubusco. In 1998, they moved to Crooked Lake, Whitley County.

He began his work career at International Harvester, Fort Wayne, until their closure. He then went to work for J-B Tool & Die, Fort Wayne, for 30 years, where he was a maintenance mechanic.

He was a member of the St. John's Catholic Church, Churubusco.

Always enjoying the outdoors, he likes camping and traveled throughout the western states and Canada. For many years, the family made an annual camping trip to the Canadian side of Lake Superior. After the children were raised, he and his wife made a camping trip to Alaska. He delighted in being on the water at his home lake.

Remembered as a loving and caring father, he adored his grandchildren, and they became the joy of his life.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandra; two daughters, Neysa (Stacy) Hess, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and Stephanie (Cortland) Ratliff, Fishers; grandchildren, Gabriel & Katarina Hess and Ella & Adelyn Ratliff; step-grandchildren, Amber Gibson & Cory Joiner; his beloved St. Bernard, Hazel; siblings, Larry (Jane) Koch of FL, Jerry (Dorothy) Koch of Fort Wayne and Judy (Sam) Lashure of Monroeville.

A memorial service with burial at the Catholic Cemetery, Columbia City, will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Memorials in Tom's honor are to St. John's Catholic Church, Churubusco.