George Franklin Koepke

George Franklin Koepke, born September 23, 1924, went to his heavenly home on September 5, 2023. We are rejoicing in his reunion with his wife, Reta Marie, who proceeded him in death, as well as his parents and two brothers.

George is survived by his five children, Pamela Rae Danley (Phil), Wendy Kay Johnson (Mike), Robin Gay Meyer (Dave), Kim Renee Koepke (Robert Johnson), and Kevin Jay Koepke. He is also survived by grandchildren Rebecca Danley Bell, Jessica Danley Killian, Sarah Johnson Taranto, Brett Hosea, Natalie Hosea, Jay Johnson Gee, and Autumn Johnson, as well as 13 great-grandchildren.

George served in the Army Air Force during WWII as crew chief on C-47s and C-46s in the Pacific Theater. His government career continued as a Quality Assurance Inspector at Erie Army Ordinance Depot in Ohio before moving his family to El Paso to work with NASA at White Sands Missile Range. Two years later, NASA moved him to the Manned Spacecraft Center south of Houston, (Later Johnson Space Center), where he worked as Supervisor of Manned Space Flight Quality Assurance Inspections in the Space Center Simulation Laboratory until his retirement in 1979. His career spanned the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo Programs.

George and Reta built their first home in Ohio, and their retirement home in Ivanhoe, south of Woodville, Texas, where they were Founding Members of Faith Lutheran Church. During retirement George and Reta traveled extensively in their RV visiting friends and family throughout the country.

George could fix anything and continued woodworking in retirement, making wooden toys for children which are sold at Heritage Village outside of Woodville.

He will be buried alongside his wife in his hometown cemetery in Ohio later this year.

A memorial service will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in Woodville, Texas at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2023. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to your local hospice organization.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.