George Leonard Kosh
December 10th, 2019
George was born in Davidson, Saskatchewan to Fred and Maria (Lueck) Kochendorfer, the 2nd-youngest of 10 children. Growing up on a struggling farm he learned how to be innovative and creative in fixing things, a skill that served him well throughout his life.
At 21 he moved to Calgary where he met his love, Ruth, at the Full Gospel Church. They were married June 25, 1955. After short forays to Edmonton and London, Ontario, they built a life in SW Calgary centred around their church.
George was an amazing problem-solver who could fix anything; he never rested until he came up with a solution or work-around: the original MacGyver. He put these skills to work with Singer/Friden Business Machines for several years, but in the early 70’s went into real estate. His confidence, humour and honesty made him a very successful realtor and he won many industry awards throughout his career, including top realtor in Calgary in 1977.
Music was a big part of George’s life and country gospel was his genre of choice. He was self-taught on upright and electric bass and played in trios and gospel groups well into his senior years. He was also a joker and loved word puns; whomever coined the phrase “Dad joke” must have known George. He never went anywhere without his pen, comb and “diamond clip”, which was a paperclip attached to a dime. And the December holidays weren’t complete without George wishing everyone a “Mary Poppins and a Hippie New Year”!
Family time was important to George and his three daughters grew up in a home where weekend adventures with extended family and summer vacations were the norm. Cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, fishing, motorhome trips to BC, summers at the family cottage at Sunnyside Camp in Sylvan Lake, and Spring Break in Waikiki; George was proud to provide for his family in this way. He was a kind man who considered the generations of family cats and dogs to be full members of the family.
In 1990 George and Ruth semi-retired to Langley, BC and spent part of their winters in Arizona. After a heart attack in 1991 George retired from real estate, but still enjoyed fixing things and repaired small appliances and vacuums part-time. George has 3 grandchildren and spent a lot of time with them as they grew up.
After years of managing the increasingly insurmountable challenges from heart failure, George went to Glory. His faith in God was a strong and constant thread through his life. He was a loving husband, a committed father and a faithful friend. He is survived by his wife, Ruth; daughters and sons-in-law, Terri (Gordon), Jill (Stephen) and Gayle (Howard); his grandchildren, Lindsay, Rachel and Michael; and two brothers, Carl and Lyle, and many nieces & nephews.
The Memorial Service will be held at Christian Life Assembly (CLA) in Langley at 2:00pm on Friday, January 31, 2020.
If desired, a donation can be made to the Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.
Messages:
I will fondly remember Mr. Kosh for the love and dedication he exhibited to his wife and family, his unique sense of humour and for his honesty in business. He will be missed.
Dear Ruth: So sorry to hear of George's passing - I have many wonderful, happy memories of the times we enjoyed while we lived in Calgary - My thoughts are prayers are with you and your family, Love Bernie
Our deepest condolences on the passing of George. We have some fond memories of times spent together in Calgary and Langley. May God comfort your hearts during this time.
Dear Ruth, we are so sorry to hear of George’s passing. We loved our times together with you both. He was so fun to be around, always made me laugh! You will be in our thoughts and prayers over the next weeks and months. Thankyou, also for your thoughtfulness and comforting words to us in this past year. Lots of love to you and your family, David and Nola
Dear Ruth, we are so sorry to hear of George’s passing. We loved him and have many happy memories of our times with you both. Our thought and prayers are with you over these next weeks and months. Also, Thankyou for your thoughtfulness toward us this past year. Lots of love to you and your family David and Nola
Rest peacefully George. Many wonderful traits of yours live on in your daughter, my friend Gayle.
Sorry to hear about George. We will be praying for the family.
Great memories and deep condolences. Praying for supportive and significant people surrounding you. Love fro Dale and Doreen Grey
Sorry for you loss. Your Dad sounds like a really good human being.
Dear Ruth, I just finished reading George’s obituary, Bev Taylor put it on Facebook. So sorry to hear of his home going, I know the emotions you are feeling and will feel for a long time. I have fond memories of the time spent with you folk while we were in Surrey. You were very special to both Brian and myself. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and the girls. Never an easy time. Loving thoughts, Bunny.
George to me was one of the men who spoke into my life as a formative teenage who lived across the cul de sac at 612 Oakhill Place, Calgary..I’ll never forget his cool Monte Carlo car...but more importantly the example he set as a godly man who brought joy to our family