Animal activist Johnny Koekemoer mourned
Due to his passion for animal welfare, the family has requested that people kindly send donations to 4 Paws in lieu of flowers.
Johnny Koekemoer, cofounder of 4 Paws and a Tale Animal Rescue, died on Saturday, June 18. He was well known in Scottburgh and surrounding areas, especially because of his commitment to helping animals with his wife Nicky.
“What can one say about Johnny Koekemoer? Husband, father, grandfather, good friend and lover of any animal big or small. All of this will never be enough to explain what this man was about,” said Nicky.
“He was one of a kind and the world has lost a very special man of God.”
Johnny was born in Ermelo on July 1, 1953. After he finished school, Johnny worked in the local Post Office while dating Nicky, whom he met in high school and married her soon after she matriculated.
The inseparable couple then moved to Scottburgh in 1995, and Johnny became the handy man at Scottburgh High School in 2001 where he worked until he fell ill in 2021.
“The school was his pride and joy,“ added Nicky.
Then in 2005, Nicky and Johnny rescued their first dog and began spending many hours feeding and loving abandoned, neglected and abused animals.
This is when the couple established 4 Paws and a Tale Rescue as a way to assist animals in the area together with volunteers and through public funding.
PHOTO BY CAROL-ANN MARE/ OLIVIA JONES COMMUNICATIONS.
Due to his passion for animal welfare, the family has requested that people kindly send donations to 4 Paws in lieu of flowers in memory of Johnny as they believe this will enable Nicky to continue the lifechanging work done by the NPO. “He fought for animals without ever backing down, and those are the memories I will carry with me always.”
“His love for Jesus was number one, and even in dying he acknowledged the God of all creation. As a family we are devastated in losing him, but the legacy he leaves behind will live forever.”
A memorial will be held for Johnny at Fish Eagle Café at Crocworld Conservation Centre, Scottburgh on Saturday, 25 June at 13:00. RSVP: 084 5146738.
Donations made in Johnny’s honour are welcome. Items such as dry food and tins of dog and cat food; blankets, old towels, linen and kennels and flea and tick medication can be dropped off at the Tale End Charity Shop in Thira Village just off the main road, 142 Scott Street, in Scottburgh or Seadoone Vet in Amanzimtoti.
To make cash donations, contact Nicky on 084 626 5508 or visit www.4pawsandatalerescue.co.za
(Source: Olivia Jones Communications)
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