Alejandro Legarda Koh Obituary (1934 - 2021)

Alejandro Legarda Koh passed away at 87 years old after 3.5 years of fighting congestive heart failure. He is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years Myrna Kang Koh of Meadows Place, Texas. He is also survived by his brother Eusebio Koh of Saskatchewan, Canada, his three daughters Jocelyn Koh McDowell, Olivia Koh Welkener and husband Kent, Vivian Koh Scott and husband Kevin, 18 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren who have many cherished memories with him. His older brother Severino Koh of Columbia, Maryland passed away in 2004. Alex was born August 1, 1934 in Manila, Philippines to Enrique Legarda Koh and Felisa Un. He was the fourth of five children. His father died when he was just 3 years old, leaving Felisa Un, Alex's mother, to care for her five children on her own. They were a very poor family, but Felisa brought her children up to know and love the Lord, and take care of each other in any situation. Alex studied Electrical Engineering and later graduated from the University of the Philippines. In 1961 he met a lovely young lady, Myrna Kang, who was handing out gospel tracts on the jeepneys. They were married on March 31, 1963 at the FEBIAS Chapel (Far Eastern Bible Institute and Seminary). They had their first two daughters, Jocelyn and Olivia in the Philippines. In 1967, Alex came to the United States and soon found a job as an electrical estimator. He diligently set aside $200 of his $500 salary per month. After 6 months of saving, he was able to bring his wife and 2 young daughters from the Philippines to Houston to join him. His wife started nursing school at Houston Baptist College and in 1969, their third daughter Vivian was born. In 1974 the Kohs moved to their home on Meadowdale Drive in Meadows Place, Texas where they lived until August 2021. For many years they attended Braeburn Bible Chapel. He loved to sing and had several favorite hymns and songs. Alex worked as an engineer for several years working at companies including Fisk Electric, Bechtel, and Schlumberger. Then after a few years of struggling with employment he became a businessman selling insurance and then promotional products for many years. Alex invested in himself and others professionally by participating in Toastmasters and the Asian Chamber of Commerce. His hobbies and pastimes included being a competitive chess player and an avid Scrabble player. Family gatherings were often enjoyed with authentic Filipino food cooked by Grandma, and around-the-clock games of Phase 10, Scrabble, cards... always accompanied by Grandpa's belly-laugh jokes. His grandkids remember well how he got a smile out of any kid with his "No laughing." joke. He loved to read aloud from jokes and riddles books, and often included new-found or originally-written ones in letters to grandkids. Grandpa also had a knack for poetry, which became a talent of his youngest daughter, Vivian, as well. Myrna and Alex shared their skill and love for Scrabble with their longtime friends Ding and Martha Abaya. They visited back and forth with the Abayas for competitive Scrabble for over 20 years. During the past three and a half years, Myrna gave excellent care to Alex while he was in hospice. She was the most dedicated and patient full-time nurse for him. Both of them demonstrated concern for the other in loving sacrifice despite his declining health. During this time his daughters and grandchildren spent many hours visiting to savor the time and help with his care. Even up to the last week of his life he enjoyed playing Scrabble and Phase 10, going for walks, eating good food, and telling jokes. Alejandro Koh was surrounded by family when he passed and will be lovingly remembered for the blessing he was during his life. He chose to have his body donated to Baylor College of Medicine for science. The family will honor Alejandro's life with a memorial service on Sunday, September 5th, 2021 in Allen, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that gifts be sent to one of the following: Shriners Hospitals for Children - lovetotherescue.org Tunnel to Towers Foundation - t2t.org Financial support for Alejandro's wife, Myrna, can be sent care of Olivia Koh Welkener, through: 12 Santa Fe Trail Lucas, TX 75002 Venmo: @olivia-welkener-1 Zelle: 469-360-8722 Please add the note "In memory of Alex Koh" I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it one day for a crown. George Bennard, "The Old Rugged Cross" ~ "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die." John 11:25 NIV