Nathan Wolf Koss

Nathan Wolf Koss, 89, of Waco, passed away Monday, October 26, 2015 after a brief illness. In keeping with Jewish custom, there will be no visitation. Graveside services will be 3:00 p.m., Thursday, October 29, at Agudath Jacob Cemetery, followed by Yiskor at Congregation Agudath Jacob at 5:00 p.m., and an ensuing reception. Nathan was born December 20, 1925, in New London, Connecticut, the youngest of Russian immigrants Pauline and Phillip Koss' seven children. An accomplished trumpet player as a youth, Nathan worked his family's dairy farm and served his country during World War II in the Civil Defense program, nightly patrolling Atlantic beaches and the local shipyard. Nathan was a devoted family man with a big, warm heart; a successful auto salvage businessman, a long-time member of the Karem Shrine Temple; and generously supported causes that gave needy children reasons to smile. His favorite pastimes included racing cars, golf; supporting Baylor athletics and his Dallas Cowboys; and slipping table food to his beloved, and slightly overweight, dog Princess. Following his sister, Minnie Aaronson, who was a Waco business owner, he moved to Texas in 1950. He and a partner opened an auto salvage business, operating City Wrecking Co. in downtown Waco, and later Elm Mott, until he retired in the late 1990s. Car enthusiasts would travel from around the world to visit the yard, intrigued by its sterling reputation and innovative cataloguing system, as well as Nathan's prowess for knowing exactly where each of the 14, 000 cars on the property was located. Nate was also heavily involved in the local community, hosting the annual "Nate's Christmas Party for Underprivileged Children," at which he gave away thousands of dollars of toys to kids who otherwise would go without. Nathan was an active member of Congregation Agudath Jacob. In 2006, at age 80 and at the encouragement of his wife Audrey, Nathan became a bar mitzvah. His immigrant parents, eager to assimilate and leave their old world ways behind, didn't give them that opportunity at age 13, the age when a young Jewish teen traditionally makes that passage. Nathan married his first wife, Edith, in 1952, and together they had three children. She preceded him in death, as did his parents, siblings and second wife, Diana, whom he married in 1994. He is survived by his wife, Audrey; his children by his first wife, Pamela, Phillip and Paul; their spouses; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and eight step-children and their families. The family suggests memorials be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) or Habitat For Humanity. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WHBfamily.com.