Victim of This Weekend’s House Fire West of Redway Identified

Flames surround the rural home. [Still image from a video]

Flames surrounding the rural home. [Still image from a video of the fire]

On the morning of May 21, an elderly man died in a house fire on Perry Meadow Road west of Redway.

According to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department, 80-year-old James Walter Koch died in the fire. His death was ruled to be accidental.

The house was destroyed by the fire.

Earlier:

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15 Comments
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NoBody
Guest
NoBody
1 year ago

I feel like we’re missing the rest of the story.
“ Jim Koch was a well-” …. ????

Last edited 1 year ago
McLovin
Guest
McLovin
1 year ago
Reply to  NoBody

Digger?

Guest
Guest
Guest
1 year ago
Reply to  McLovin

PC “Driller”, would you believe, McLovin?

I assumed, “Jim Koch was a well-“, preceded something like; “known”, and/or “liked”, and/or, “educated”…

But I suppose the intro could have been followed by; “of knowledge”, or “inspector”…

May he rest in peace.

Lisa Music
Admin
1 year ago
Reply to  McLovin

How much proof would you like? A picture of her in her doh bahk? The testimony of her instructor? The word of people that trained with her and watched her test and receive her blackbelt?
Sadly, I think no amount of proof will be enough for you as your intent is to discredit someone who works tirelessly to provide news to our area.

Anon
Guest
Anon
1 year ago

Kym seems there’s a significant portion of this announcement missing.

Cetan Bluesky
Guest
Cetan Bluesky
1 year ago

Crap, I had a bad feeling about that. Last time I was at his home 20 years ago, he had gas heat. Not firewood. Ran his AE electrical power with a Pelton in the creek. I can’t even begin to imagine what could have happened. He was Mr. SAFETY back then. RIP Jim you were definitely one of Humboldts good guys!

Dying while you sleep is always preferred.
Guest
Dying while you sleep is always preferred.
1 year ago

I hope he died quick and I hope it was clean. Eighty years old could have meant escape was impossible. At that age even normal waiting for death could be difficult. Rest in peace old man………………….RIP

Jared Rossman
Guest
Jared Rossman
1 year ago

A sweet and generous man! 50 years in the hills of Island Mountain and Briceland, always helping others with his skills and stuff. Lived humble, and light on the land.
Jim Koch, presente!

BonnieD
Member
Bonnie
1 year ago

Oh, no! What a tragedy. He was such a sweet man.
Rest in Peace, Jim.

Last edited 1 year ago
Lily Aquarian
Guest
Lily Aquarian
1 year ago

Jim was a wonderful, cheerful, quirky, artistic man. One of our originals around here. Our neighbor in Palo Verde back in the early 80s. A collector of lots of things, you could arrive at his homestead and after a bit of a rummage in one of his many sheds, out would come the homestead item part you were looking for! We have been mourning his loss and thinking of his loved ones…

Salmongirl
Guest
Salmongirl
1 year ago

RIP Jim, he was a wonderful person, a master at collecting cool free useful stuff. When i was building windows out of bottles ,he brought me all these amazing high end fancy liquor bottles for my project. He was handy, intelligent, kind. Alas, he will be missed.

Dave Kahan
Guest
Dave Kahan
1 year ago

Jim Koch was a class act, and a wonderful guy. RIP.

Martin
Guest
Martin
1 year ago

Mr. James Walter Koch, I am so very sorry you perished in the house fire. May you RIP. Condolences to your family and friends. God bless.

Liz Pullen
Guest
Liz Pullen
1 year ago

I’ve known Jim for 48 years and helped me rebuild a VW engine in SF. One of the most generous souls and lovely folks Ive known. My heart aches to know he is gone. Condolences to his son and all his friends through the years