Harold Eugene Kocher Jr., 83, of Dallas, passed away Wednesday, April 8, at Allied Hospice Meade Street, Wilkes-Barre. He was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather, and a friend to everyone he met.

He was born in Kingston on November 10, 1942, the son of the late Harold Sr. and Frances Ruth Bryant Kocher. He graduated from Dallas High School and served for six years in the U.S. Army Reserve as part of the 402nd Military Police.

In 1972, Harold married the former Barbara Patterson, who survives him.

Harold worked with his father in the sanitation business until his father's death. He then partnered with Ted Kocher to form K&K Sanitation, which served the Back Mountain area for many years. (Harold and Ted were not direct relatives, but they thought of each other as brothers.)

He later worked at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital as a nurses' aide in the Cardiac Unit.

In addition to his wife, Harold is survived by children Chris (Crystal) Kocher and Karen (Dr. Terrence) Goyke, and grandchildren Caleb, Paige, Jarek and Wyatt Goyke.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 11:00 AM from the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home Inc., corner of Routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek with Pastor Carol Folk of the Center Moreland United Methodist Church, officiating.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM prior to the service at the funeral home.

Private interment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Lake Township.

Memorial donations can be made to the Back Mountain Food Bank, 40 Knob Hill, Trucksville, Pa. 18708.

Online condolences can be made at clswansonfuneralhome.com.