Larry D. Kocich, 68, of Hallettsville, passed away October 23, 2019 at home surrounded by his family. He was born on December 27, 1950 to Daniel and Emma Kocich in Hallettsville.

In his early years, Larry grew up near Moravia, and later moved to East Bernard and eventually to Rosenberg. He helped his parents on the farm tending to livestock and growing cotton. There he raised turkeys and pigs for his 4H projects.

Larry graduated from Lamar High School in Rosenberg, class of 1969, and attended Wharton County Junior College. He worked at Kroger for 11 years, starting when he was in high school and working his way up to grocery manager. In 1979, he started working for the U.S. Postal Service, first at the Rosenberg post office as a city route mail carrier for 5 years, and at the Richmond post office as a rural route mail carrier where he retired with over 38 years of service in 2017.

Larry met his wife, Gayle at a polka dance and they were married on November 6, 1976 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville. They were married for over 42 years. They have three children and he was very involved in their extracurricular activities when they were growing up. He led the high school band booster club when his daughters were in band. He was also involved in his son's boy scout troop (#801) as a scout master, teaching merit badge skills and organizing scout camp outs and trips. Every year, the family would take summer vacations, driving across the U.S. to visit different states. He loved spoiling his grandson with ice cream and enjoyed playing chess together.

Larry loved being outdoors. Even though he lived in the city, he enjoyed raising cattle. On the weekends, he enjoyed working his cattle on land around Fort Bend County or coming out to the country to help on his in-laws farm. He was an avid gardener, planting seasonal gardens twice a year and growing fruit and pecan trees, which Gayle really appreciated each fall while raking leaves. He was a collector of stuff; he never came across something that he couldn't fix or that could come in handy for a future project. One time, he found an old Ford lawn mower and was determined to get it running. In the process, it caught on fire. I don't think we ever saw him run so fast to get water to put out the fire. He ended up getting it started and he used it for many years proving that anything can be fixed.

Larry enjoyed listening to polka music, the Red Ravens and Vrazels being some of his favorites. When they moved out to the country, he discovered the RFD channel; he loved watching the polka shows and the farm and ranch shows all….day….long. He never met a stranger, talking to anyone about anything even if they just met.

After retiring, Larry and Gayle built a house on family land out in the Moravia area and moved back to the country, which was always their dream. He fought his battle with cancer for over 3 years, exceeding his doctor's expectations. He was a gentle, kind and loving son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather and he will be deeply missed.

Larry is survived by: his wife Gayle Kocich of Hallettsville; 3 children, Lisa Kocich-Meyer & husband Jeremy of Richmond, Angela Kocich of Seabrook, and Christopher Kocich of Hallettsville; grandson Owen Meyer; 2 brothers, Harvey Kocich & wife Shirley of Richmond and Kenny Kocich & wife Patti of Richmond; sister-in-law Barbara Haas of Hallettsville; and numerous nieces & nephews.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral Mass Service : 12 noon, Monday, October 28, 2019, at Ascension of our Lord Catholic Church of Moravia. Visitation: 5 pm, Sunday at Kubena Funeral Home, with Rosary starting at 6 pm. Pallbearers: Ryan Kocich, Derek Kocich, Jeremy Meyer, Alan Valicek, George Valicek, and Robert Besetsny. Honorary pallbearer: Owen Meyer. Officiant: Msgr. John Peters. Memorials: Hospice of South Texas, Ascension of our Lord Catholic Church in Moravia or donor's choice. Burial: Ascension of our Lord Catholic Cemetery.