Obituary: James Joseph ‘Joey’ Kocak

James Joseph “Joey” Kocak, of Oak Ridge, passed away at his home on March 4, 2015.

Born February 4, 1999, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the son of Theodore “T.J.” and Mary Kocak, he was the youngest of their four children. A sophomore at Oak Ridge High, he was a good student, musician, and an accomplished athlete. He loved the outdoors and was an excellent fisherman.

Joey was a kind and gentle spirit who enjoyed spending time with those he loved: his family, his girlfriend Mollie, and her family, and friends.

On behalf of our family we would like to thank everyone for their love and support during this difficult time. Joey will be greatly missed, and we ask you to please keep him in your hearts and prayers. Remember him as the caring and kind person he was.

He was preceded in death by grandfathers, Theodore Joseph Kocak, Sr. and Milus R. Skidmore, Sr.

Joey is survived by his parents, T.J. and Mary; his siblings Ted, Rebecca, and Andrew; Lindsey Turner, his paternal grandmother Beverly Kocak, and his maternal grandmother Ruth Skidmore; aunt Sally Ferguson and uncle Jim Tolmach; cousins Elizabeth and Rebecca; uncle Dwight and aunt Thuha Skidmore and cousin Khanh; cousins Shelby and Alexis Skidmore; aunt Alison Kocak, uncle Michael Randy Kocak and aunt Veronica Prado, cousin Philomena Michelle, aunt Patricia Kocak, uncle William “Sonny” Kocak, Sr. and Josefina Tolentino Kocak, cousins William, Michael, Maria, James and Jacob; and the many special families who loved and cared for him like their own.

The family will receive friends at St. Mary’s Catholic Church from 5-7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 9, 2015. The Mass will begin at 7:30 p.m. with Father Bede Aboh officiating. A reception at the church will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Joey Kocak to St Mary’s Catholic Church, 327 Vermont Ave., Oak Ridge, TN 37831, or the Sister City Support Organization, c/o Jerry Luckmann, 103 Clayton Way, Oak Ridge, TN 37830.

Weatherford Mortuary is handling all arrangements. An online guest book is available at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.