John Benjamin Kohagen, Lt. Col. USAF (retired), died at
Hearthstone Convalescent Hospital in Sparks, Nev. on March 27,
Easter Sunday. John’s wife Gene, the love of his life, and his son
John III were with him.
John Benjamin Kohagen, Lt. Col. USAF (retired), died at Hearthstone Convalescent Hospital in Sparks, Nev. on March 27, Easter Sunday. John’s wife Gene, the love of his life, and his son John III were with him.
He was born in Duluth, Minn. on May 8, 1918 to Dr. John Kohagen and his wife, Hayzel. He was preceded in death by his infant son Thomas, both parents, his sister Barbara and brother Robert and brother-in-law Everett Lee.
He was an avid hockey player in his youth and after moving to Los Angeles, began his life-long love affair with tennis and golf. He represented the Far East Air Force during the Korean War taking one seeing combat in both. He retired from the service in 1964 after 24 years.
John met his wife Gene in Tokyo after returning from combat and they were married in Anaheim in 1954. After their retirement, they lived in several cities in California before settling into their home in Ridgemark for several years. Last year, the couple moved to Sparks. He was involved in private business before becoming ill with Parkinson’s Disease which finally claimed his life after a long difficult struggle. He loved to party, laugh, play cards and will be sorely missed by his family, friends and the casinos.
Of all his many medals and awards earned during his career, he was most proud of his Distinguished Flying Cross from Korea. He was awarded the honor during a bombing run over Pyongyang. The bombs failed to drop during the run and trapped John’s rear gunner. Their starboard engine took fire and they were ordered to abandon the aircraft, which would have meant certain death for the gunner. John refused to abandon the plane while it was still capable of flight and the company returned to the airfield safely on a single engine.
He is survived by his wife Gene Kohagen of Sparks; his children John Kohagen III or Sparks and Hillary Kohagen of Hollister; and his brother Bill Kohagen.
A celebration of Jack’s life will be held at 4pm Saturday April 9 at the Ridgemark Tennis Club. Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home is in charge of the local arrangements.
