Richard Koehn, longtime VH rancher, dies at age 72

Richard Monroe Koehn, Sr., of Van Horn and Fort Worth, passed away on Oct. 1, 2014, as the result of a cardiac arrest after his morning run.  He was surrounded by his loving and caring wife, Kaye Sommer Koehn, and family members.  Richard was born in Mathis, Texas on Oct. 18, 1941 to the late Velda and Alfred Koehn.  

He was raised in Orange Grove, Tex., and spent his childhood learning to love God and care for His creation on his parents’ farm.  He graduated from Orange Grove High School where he was an athlete, a band member and an Eagle Scout.  While attending Texas Lutheran College, he played football and graduated with a B.S. in Biology.  Before starting his career as a Texas rancher, he taught high school biology and coached football for Schertz-Cibolo ISD.

Richard married the love of his life, Kaye, on Aug. 19, 1967, and they were blessed to celebrate over 47 years of marriage and three wonderful children.  Shortly after marrying, Richard and Kaye moved to Van Horn, where he began his 40-plus years of cattle ranching and farming.  Through the years, he ranched in Culberson, Hudspeth, El Paso and Erath counties.  Nothing could bring a smile to his face more quickly than a nice dark rain cloud or telling you about the specifics of each cow in his herd.  

His love of athletics continued until the time he left this earth, through cycling and running.  He also gave back much to his community.  He served as county commissioner for Culberson County.  He was a member and past President of Rotary and an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Van Horn.  More recently he attended Faith Lutheran Church of Fort Worth, where Kaye and Richard had been married.
  
Richard is survived by his wife, Kaye; son Richard Koehn, Jr. and his wife Lacey of Corpus Christi; daughter Kellye Gregory and her husband David of Houston; daughter Allison Ledet and husband Aaron of Wassenaar, Netherlands; grandchildren Joseph, John and Molly Ledet and Macy and Lillian Gregory.  He is also survived by his brother Morris Koehn of Seguin; aunt Jewell Driggers of Houston; mother-in-law Wilda Sommer of Fort Worth; aunt Wanda Ordile of Fort Worth; brother and sister-in-law Debbie and Craig Sommer of Austin and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Richard was a loving and steadfast husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.  He will forever be in our hearts and has left us with strong memories and fuller souls.

A memorial service will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in Fort Worth on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, at 2 p.m.  There will be a reception at the church following the service. He will be laid to rest on his beloved ranch in Van Horn. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please consider honoring Richard’s memory with a contribution to Faith Lutheran Church, 4551 Boulevard Southwest, Fort Worth, Texas, 76116 or a charity of your choosing. 

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