Arnold Jerome Koci, age 93, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother passed away on November 22, 2024 at Mission Regional Medical Center, Mission Viejo, California.

Arnold was born on September 14, 1931 in Hebron, Nebraska, the 5th of 6 children born to James and Anna Koci. He was raised on the family farm and graduated from Hebron High School in 1949. Following his 3 brothers before him, he enlisted in the US Navy in 1951. After completing boot training in San Diego, he was assigned to Naval Air Station Ford Island (Pearl Harbor), Hawaii for two years. He then served six months at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego before completing his Navy service with VU-7 Aircraft Squadron at Naval Station Brown Field in Chula Vista, California. Arnold was honorably discharged from the Navy in November 1955 as a 3rd Class Petty Officer, Aircraft Engine Mechanic.

Arnold and Jean Koci (Cukale) married on July 14, 1956 and celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in July 2024. Together they raised 4 children: Tim, Janet, Ken, and Carol.

After 4 years of Navy service, Arnold studied on the GI bill at Chaffey College and El Camino Junior College while working at Lockheed Aircraft, Ontario, California and North American in Los Angeles preparing for a career in the aviation industry. Amidst instability in the aircraft business and a young family to support, Arnold took up a steady job with the US Postal Service. After starting as a clerk, he worked most of his postal career as a supervisor retiring in 1987 after 34 years with USPS.

After retirement, he worked part time as a courier at a local bank for several years and continued volunteer and leadership activities such as the Knights of Columbus and the Slovene Heritage society SNPJ. He was an usher at St. Timothy's church for many years. In his retirement he learned to play button box accordion and was honored to play with expert musicians in the Fontana Button Box Club. He enjoyed polka music and dancing. He was an avid bowler and bowled in leagues until age 91. He remained a farmer his whole life and enjoyed many hours tending his vegetable garden and nurturing his fruit trees and blackberry bushes. He was a devoted and proud grandpa and great grandpa.

He is preceded in death by his brothers Edward and Albert Koci and his sisters Marj Haase (Koci) and JoAnne Whale (Koci). He is survived by his brother James (Vaclav) Koci. He is survived by his wife of 68 years Jean Koci (Cukale), son Timothy Koci and spouse Lisa Koci (Guevara), grandchildren Micaela, Philip, Vincent, Roger. Daughter Janet Lundgren (Koci) and spouse John Lundgren, grandchild Krista Lawson (Lundgren), spouse Jonathan, great grandchildren Evander, Isaiah, Annika. Grandchild Erik. Grandchild Sara Lundgren and spouse Max, great grandchildren Ebba and Ragnar.  Son Kenneth Koci and spouse Teresa Koci (Mlakar), grandchildren James Koci and spouse Alyssa, Ellie Koci. Daughter Carol Jancich (Koci) and grandchild Garret.

Services are:

Visitation and Rosary
Wednesday December 4, 2024 Time 5-7 PM
McCormick and Son Mortuary
25002 Moulton Parkway
Laguna Hills, CA 92637

Funeral Mass
Thursday December 5, 2024, 10:00 AM
St. Timothy's Church
29102 Crown Valley Parkway
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Interment
Ascension Cemetery
24754 Trabuco Road
Lake Forest, CA 92630

Donations welcome to the following causes dear to Arnold:

Knights of Columbus
Saint Timothy Council no. 12834
29102 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Knights of Columbus - Outreach

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