Virginia Marie Kokal

Virginia "Ginger" Marie Kokal, known to some as Bob, passed away at the age of 70 in Santa Clara, Texas, surrounded by her family on Sunday, May 31, 2026.

Ginger was born on April 14, 1956 to Clara Louise Poole and James Patterson in Huntsville, Alabama. She was raised by her mother and stepfather, Bruce Head. As a child, while playing at sunday school with her friends, she heard angels singing God's praises, a beautiful gift for a beautiful soul. Growing up, she helped raise her younger siblings and enjoyed two-stepping and hunting for alligators on airboats.

Ginger had a high school education and went on to become a radio tech, semi-truck driver, and barber for 44 years. She opened her own barber shop and always packed her clippers when visiting family because everyone wanted a haircut from Ginger. She was a caring mother and raised not only her two sons but her granddaughter, Alli, as well. Ginger spent the last 5 years of her life happily married to her best friend, Joseph "Mike" Kokal.

She enjoyed studying her bible, bowling in a league, traveling to new places like New York and Paris, going to car shows, doting on her grandchildren and winning at every game she played of scrabble and chickenfoot. Ginger was quick witted and known for quirky sayings. Despite many unfortunate circumstances in her life, she had a fiery spirit and was full of life and laughter. She lived to love and protect others. Generous to her core, she frequently provided financial support to family and friends and donated regularly to hospitals and Christian charities.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Joseph Kokal. She was the devoted mother of William "Bill" Cooper III and Casey Cooper; the cherished grandmother to Alli Stringer, William "Will" Cooper IV (wife Mckenzie), Daymayne Cooper, and Jayda Cooper; and the proud great-grandmother of Reef Williams.

She leaves behind her siblings: Brenda and Sam Young, David and Cathy Patterson, Kenneth "Kenny" and Karen Patterson, Larry and Michelle Head, Cheryl Graybeal Safford and Donald Safford, Michael and Sharon Head, and September Patterson, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clara "Louise" Poole, James Patterson, stepfather Bruce Head, and brother James "Terry" Patterson.

A Visitation for Virginia Marie Kokal will be held from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM on Sunday, June 28, 2026 at Schertz Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, June 29, 2026 at Schertz Funeral Home, with a Graveside Service to follow at 1:45 PM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please bring a note of your favorite memory of Ginger for her family to remember her by.

Thank you to the staff at Heart to Heart Hospice for making Ginger comfortable in her last days and to the staff at Schertz Funeral Home for guiding and organizing Ginger's services.