Jon David Kocara, 67, of Fairborn Ohio, formerly of Shadyside died Saturday, March 25, 2023, at Hospice of Dayton in Dayton OH.
He was born October 3, 1955 in Bellaire, OH a son of the late John and Betty (Campbell) Kocara.
Jon was a 1974 graduate of Shadyside High School. He went on to obtain his Bachelor’s Degree from Ohio University. John retired from Wright Air Force Base, having spent his career as a safety engineer. In his spare time, cars were his passion. He was a founding member of the Northern CA GTO club, a Pontiac GTO Club of Sacramento CA.
He is survived by many close friends and coworkers.
Family and friends will be received at the Bauknecht-Altmeyer Funeral Homes & Crematory 3900 Central Avenue Shadyside, OH 43947 on Saturday April 1, 2023, from 11:30 until time of remembrance at 12:30. Interment to follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Bellaire, Ohio.
Share your thoughts and memories of Jon at www.bauknechtaltmeyer.com.
Don’t forget Casey and Charle, Jon’s two schnauzer sons. Jon loved his parents, his dad, Jon, was a contractor in Shady side , Ohio and also farmed with the New York Yankees. His mother, Betty, a teller at a bank. I loved his stories of his cars. We went to Carlisle, Pa for swap meets a couple of times. He was always excited when his car was featured in a magazine. He loved his home he designed himself and had built within it a sixteen car garage.
And Aunt Flo, or Flora. They talked every night until she passed a little over a year ago. He was an chief engineer at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. He was proud when he retired an equivalent to a colonel in civilian ranks. He was proud of his letters of accomplishments signed by then all the presidents still living. I met up with Jon at Young’s in Yellowsprings last October, 2022. He was fine. Or he led me to believe. He was always getting me out of trouble but he loved being the knight and shining armor. He said I was the only girl that he let drive his cars. Jon also helped get one of my photos published internationally. It was a picture of his GTO. Well Jon, I know an obituary is important to you. I hope this one will do. Love ya!
I’m so sorry to hear of Jon’s passing. We were longtime neighbors im Shadyside and family friend. Prayers for the family.
My sincere condolences on the passing of Jon. We graduated together from Shadyside High School, Class of ‘74. While I had only seen him a few times since then, I always remembered his deep passion for cars. I still remember him driving an El Camino on Friday nights. He was always pleasant to talk with and an all around good guy. Rest in peace, Jon.
Jon and I met at a fair, and became close friends. He loved his cars he would call me to say he brought a car to fix it up to show, especially his Shelby. He also love light houses.
You will be missed, RIP my friend.
I’m really going to miss you Jon. I’m sure that there are hot rods in heaven
My thoughts and prayers to all who knew and worked with Jon. I knew him through his work at WPAFB but most of all he was a pure motorhead. Anytime I wanted to talk muscle cars he was my go to guy. There just not many people with his knowledge of classic cars. RIP Jon…
What a loss Its hard to lose a good friend But its realy hard yo lose a brotherGod only knows how much youll be missed Ill realy miss those phon e call HY jp You got a minit Im trying to put this seat in this car and it dont want to cocorate could you run over and give me a hand love you brother JP i hope theres a hotrod hangout in heaven
Jon and I met because we both had Minature Schnauzer’s. I think that was the most happy I ever saw him.
We were more like good friends. I will miss our conversations in the evening. I already miss calling him in the morning. I’d say “good morning sunshine.” So miss his calm voice.
I loved going to Biscuit World and Young’s Dairy with him.
The world has lost a wonderful man, too early.
I love you so much. You always will have a special place in my heart.
I know you are with Jesus, your family, your doggies, and an endless swap meet with good deals for the parts you need for every new car you restore.
Know you are loved and missed.
I love you and hope to see you again.
Love,
Elaine
I love you so very much. I am beyond heartbroken that we never got the chance to live the life we dreamed of together. Your life stolen away much too soon by that insidious disease. You were brilliant, passionate, and loved deeply. We always had so much fun together and I will treasure those memories always. Every time I dance in the kitchen I will think of you and the pure joy we felt. My daughters also feel your loss, they thought the world of you. While my heart feels like it will never heal, or the tears will ever stop over losing you I am happy you are no longer in pain, and you are reunited with loved ones. I will love you always.