Lt. Col. DONALD RAY KOCHANEK, 84, went to be with his Heavenly Father on May 1, 2017 at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. His military service, devotion to family and his abiding faith in God fulfilled him in this life and gave him purpose.
Don was born on June 12, 1932 to the late Harry M. Kochanek and Climena D. Harbaugh in Port Angeles, WA. He was immersed in the Christian faith that would be his lifelong journey and combined that faith with his military service. He met and then married Greta L. Griffin on September 6, 1957 and they began their long journey together of almost 60 years. He attended Seattle Pacific College (1954-1958), where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration, the Command & General Staff Military College and the Los Angeles Baptist Theological Seminary.
Don loved everything about the military and joined the United States Air Force in 1950 and served in the Korean War which was the start of his lifelong service to our country. He then joined the United States Army as a Chaplain and served in the Vietnam War before moving with his family to various bases in California, New York, and Germany. After leaving active duty in 1975 he continued in the US Army Reserves and settled in Marion, Indiana where he served as the Assistant Pastor at Twin City Bible Baptist Church and then at the VA Medical Center. There he provided support, counseling and care to service men and women and their families in times of crisis and pain. Don had a gentle and loving presence that would soothe the most broken spirits and provide comfort and peace. He was always patient and kind and did not know the meaning of the word stranger as he felt at ease speaking with anyone at anytime. If you met him you probably heard his many stories and adventures from the military and he was clearly proud and honored of the time he spent in the Armed Forces.
Don also dearly loved his wife Greta, who left this earth just one month before him, and as usual Don was trying to catch up with her. Their relationship was filled with love, support for one another and service to God and others. Don was blessed with a large and loving family and together with Greta had five children. He was the parent that we could talk into things like sleeping outside in a snowstorm and eating ice cream for breakfast. He taught his children about God's love, led us in family bible study and taught us the many lessons that we need in life about kindness to others. He was a man that truly practiced what he preached and lived a virtuous life filled with service to country, God and others.
Don is survived by his children, Brad(Sue) Kochanek, Upland, Indiana; Donald Bruce(Misty) Kochanek, Gas City, Indiana; Scott(Debbie) Kochanek, Lewisville, North Carolina; Colleen(Stephanie) Kochanek, Wilmington, North Carolina; and daughter in law Kerri Lehmann, Berne, Indiana. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and his brother and sisters in law; Charles and Pat Griffin, Seven Lakes, North Carolina and Bob and Connie Griffin, Rockford, Illinois.
Don was preceded in death by his wife, Greta Louise Kochanek; father, Harry Mackery Kochanek; mother, Climena D. Kochanek; brothers Harry Kochanek, John Kochanek, Michel Kochanek and David Kochanek; sisters Shirley LaVille and Dorothy Sullivan and son Phillip James Kochanek.
There will be a visitation at the Southside Baptist Church in Broadway, North Carolina at 2:00 pm on Friday May 5, 2017 with a service to follow at 3:00 pm. The family gratefully declines flowers, but prayers, condolences and memories are gladly accepted. Donations may be made to St. Jude's Children Hospital in honor of Don and Greta Kochanek. Online condolences can be made at www.smithfuneralhomebroadway.com Arrangements are by the Smith Funeral Home of Broadway.