Eugene (Gene) Charles Koch, age 71, of Helena passed away May 14th, 2024 after a short illness.

Gene was born September 20, 1952, in Choteau, MT to Howard and Charlotte (Moniger) Koch. He was the youngest of their four boys. At 19, he moved to Great Falls, where he worked at what was then The Paris department store. While in Great Falls, Gene met and married Bonnie McCurdy in 1972 and had two daughters, Michele (Meesha) and Pamela (Pam).

After Gene and Bonnie divorced in 1975, he moved to Helena where he began a career in film developing as manager of Montana Photo, located in what was then the Capital Mall. Several years later, he opened his own film development store, The Photo Centre. Over the next few years, he took courses on camera repair and added VEK Camera Repair to this business. He later opened VEK Railway Supply, allowing him to further follow his passion for model rail roading. Gene ran VEK for many years until his stroke in January 2021. He was at the center of model railroading activities in the Helena area for decades. Gene was also instrumental in the construction of the Last Chance Layout of the Western Montana Railroad Historical Association. Gene was well known by area railroad crews and was a friend to many.

He married Vicky Peres in February of 1981. Their marriage lasted until October of 2010, when Vicky passed away from pancreatic cancer. They shared a love of photography, history, old movies, and humor. They both loved animals - throughout their marriage - there was always at least one dog, usually a dachshund, and even the occasional cat, running around their home.

Gene was a loving husband, father, grandpa. He was preceded in death by his parents, his three brothers, Richard, Steven, and Russell, and his wife, Vicky. He is survived by his daughters Meesha Blair (Scott) of Talent, OR and Pam Christensen (Eric) of Seattle, WA, as well as his grandchildren, Mike, Jamie, and Alex.

Memorial Service will be held at Life Covenant Church, 800 N. Hoback St, Helena, MT on June 22nd at 1:30pm.  The family asks that you join them for a reception honoring Eugene at the Western Montana Railroad Historical Association, 619 N Last Chance Gulch, Helena, immediately following the service.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to:

Lewis and Clark Humane Society

Give online at lchsmontana.org or mail donations to 2112 E. Custer AVE, PO Box 4455, Helena, MT. 59604

Or

Western Montana Railroad Historical Association

PO Box 2016

Helena, MT 59624