Koger, Thomas Harvey

Thomas Harvey Koger, 91, of Dublin went on to his heavenly home on Thursday, December 6, 2007 after a long and brave battle with Parkinson’s disease.

He was born in Henry County on January 30, 1916 to James William and Martha Wells Koger and is preceded in death by his parents and his five sisters and five brothers.

Harvey is survived by his wife of 58 years, Opal Linkous Koger, and four children and their spouses: Thomas H. Koger Jr. and Tina of Gloucester, Va., Judy L. Koger of Richmond, Va., Nancy Koger Taylor and Robert of Dublin, Va., and Martha Koger Kelly and Stuart of Roanoke Va. He is also survived by his six grandchildren: Susan Koger of Gloucester, Va., Christopher Koger of Hampton, Va., Sarah Taylor of Dublin, Va., Paul Taylor of Houston, Texas, Noelle Kelly Edwards of Columbia, Missouri, and Anna Kelly of Roanoke, Va.

Harvey was a dedicated husband and father, providing for his family by driving a tractor trailer for Burlington Industries, Inc from 1949 until his retirement in 1983. In 1955, Harvey bought a couple of acres of land near Dublin where he had a house built and filled that property with fruit trees, grapevines, and vegetable gardens. One of his great joys was to give away much of the harvests to friends and neighbors. Harvey planted a garden every year until he became disabled, and then he insisted on rolling out in his wheelchair to inspect the small garden patch planted by Opal. Harvey was a member of Dublin Baptist Church, where he served as an usher for many years. He loved his many friends there and especially enjoyed the Men’s Sunday School class and the Keenagers.

During Harvey?s last stay in the hospital a nursing assistant called him ?a real gentleman?. That is a fitting description for Harvey Koger, a quiet and kind man who humbly lived a life of service to family, friends, neighbors, and the Lord. Praise God that he is now walking in the presence of Jesus, his Lord and Savior, in a place with no tears, pain, or worry.

The family expresses deep appreciation to Wanda Delp, Julie Woodyard, and Carol Boyd, caregivers, and to Heather Jarrells of Carilion Home Health for their excellent and compassionate service.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, December 9, 2007 at Dublin Baptist Church with the Rev. Dennis Jones and the Rev. Phil Taylor officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Memory Gardens, Dublin. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, December 8, 2007 at Bower Funeral Chapel, 1631 Bob White Blvd., Pulaski. To send online condolence messages to the family, visit www.bowerfuneralhome.com Bower Funeral Chapel, Pulaski is handling the arrangements for the family.