Chris A. Koger

Chris A. Koger was born at Wright Patterson Air Force base in Fairborn, Ohio on December 22, 1963. He graduated from Greenon High School.He earned a basketball scholarship to Bellevue College and moved to Omaha in 1984 where his mom, Jackie, and stepfather, Bob Clark, resided. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1988, Chris married Gina Royuk (now Williams).They had one child, Jared, born in 1992.Although they divorced in 1994, they remained friends and co-parented, which was so important in Jared’s upbringing.Jared was his pride and joy and he referred to Jared’s sister, Brooke, as his “niece/bonus daughter”. Chris spent holidays, birthdays, and many other gatherings with Jared, Brooke, Gina, and her husband Bret. Chris worked several years for Earl May Garden Center in management and landscape design. Eventually, he started his own landscaping business, Koger’s Quality Landscaping. He continued to draw designs and served as an “expert” and go-to for family and friends.He definitely knew his plants, shrubs, and trees!After a few years of running the business, Chris took on a new career in entertainment where he managed a bar and worked as a DJ.Chris’ final career was in automotive service centers where he spent several years.He earned a reputation as an amazing manager and customers loved taking their vehicles to him.He led his service team to several national awards over the years with Todd Archer Hyundai and most recently with Beardmore Hyundai. Throughout Jared’s youth, Chris coached his basketball teams and was an assistant basketball coach for Bellevue East High School. He enjoyed traveling to Ohio, Michigan, Arkansas, and Florida to visit his parents, brother, sister and nephews.Jared joined him on many of these trips. His favorite pastime was going to the movies (and eating at least one large tub of buttered popcorn). He liked telling jokes and usually laughed before anyone else.He enjoyed watching sports, the Boston Celtics and Creighton on the hardwood, the Cincinnati Reds on the diamond, and the Miami Dolphins and Huskers on the gridiron.He’d wear Ohio State clothing items once in a while just to stir things up a bit with the diehard Nebraska fans. He was an extremely generous and selfless person, always willing to give anything to anyone in need whether he knew them personally or not.He was truly a blessing to everyone who knew him. Jared married Carly (Meier) on November 6, 2021, at Divine Shepherd.The family is very thankful that Chris was able to be a part of their very special day. Chris went to heaven unexpectedly at his apartment in Bellevue on January 31, 2022. He is preceded in death by his father, Kenneth “Ray” Koger. He is survived by his son Jared (Carly), his parents, Bob and Jackie Clark of Mountain Home, AR, sister Karen (Mike) Paulson of Wixom, MI, brother Kenny (Stacey) of Niceville, FL and his nephews Kyle, Cory, Jake, and special family friends, Gina, Bret, and Brooke Williams. Chris’ mom, Jackie, wanted to share the following poem as a reminder of the promise of eternal life and that we will all be reunited in heaven someday. I Am Free Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free I’m following the path God laid for me. I took his hand when I heard him call I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day To laugh, to love, to work or play. Tasks undone must stay that way. I found that peace at close of day. If my parting has left a void Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah yes, these things, I too, will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full, I’ve savored much, Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your hearts and share with me God wanted me to know: He set me free. Celebration of Chris’ Life will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at 11:00am at Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church (15005 Q St. Omaha, NE 68137) with family receiving friends one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church (www.dsomaha.org), St. Jude Childrens Hospital (www.stjude.org), or Harbor of Hope Dog Rescue (www.harborofhopedogrescue.org). Braman Mortuary - Southwest Chapel 6505 S. 144 St. Omaha, NE68137 402-895-3400