John Thomas Loch was born in San Diego, CA on October 2,1977 to grateful parents, Thomas Gregory Loch and Karen Frances Loch. He died on March 24, 2014 after a sudden illness.
During his childhood, John participated in many sports: T-ball, Little League, and AYSO Soccer. John also had a life-long passion for skateboarding. His musical talents included tap dancing at the fair and playing the violin and piano.
Influenced by his grandfather, an Aeronautical Engineer, John became greatly interested in aeronautics in junior-high and won 1st place in the San Diego city-wide Science Fair. This award allowed John to go to Cape Kennedy and witness the launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavor and meet Astronaut Wally Schirra. In high school, he took a course in aeronautics and learned how to fly a single engine airplane alongside his instructor.
John was a child of La Jolla Friends’ Meeting and actively participated in First Day School and was a leader in its youth programs. He became a member of La Jolla Meeting in high school. As JYM clerk in Pacific Yearly Meeting, one young Friend recalled how John went out of his way to mentor him into leadership and how much John’s support and confidence influenced him. John also participated in several AFSC/SCQM service projects and served as a “FAP” (Friendly Adult Presence) at a Quarterly Meeting.
John graduated from Morse High School in 1995 and pursued his education at San Marcos State University and Palomar College. He received an Associate of Arts Degree in radio.
There was nothing John didn't know about good music and he loved to dance. In college, he hosted a radio show called California Soul where he played soul music from the 60’s and 70’s. He had a passion for Ska, Soul, Rocksteady, and Reggae music. For the past 6 years, John hosted his own radio show and was a Producer at KCEO Radio Station where he had an avid following.
Every year, John and his mother would go home to Richmond, Indiana to spend the Christmas holidays and the 4th of July with his mother’s extended family and with his father in Cincinnati, Ohio. Maintaining contact with his extended family was very important to John.
Everyone who had contact with John loved him and he loved them back. He had a calm, gentle demeanor and a diverse group of friends. During his hospitalization, countless friends came from all over to see him, claiming to be a relative so that they could be allowed into ICU.
He is survived by his parents Karen Frances Thomas and Thomas Gregory Loch; his brother, Michael Loch; his grandpa, Joseph Loch; his aunts, uncles and cousins and a host of friends.
John will be greatly missed.