Gwendolyn Grace (Lisk) Koda

With sincere compassion, we respectfully announce the transition of Ms. Gwendolyn Grace Koda. A native of Lincoln, IL, and resident of Montgomery, AL, Ms. Koda transitioned Sunday, February 16th, 2025. Gwen Koda, 83, of Montgomery, passed away on February 16, 2025 from cancer. When she passed, she was surrounded by loved ones and had spent the previous week visiting with family that had come to support her.

Gwen was born on March 17, 1941 to Jack Robert and Grace Alberta Lisk in Lincoln, Il. In 1969, Gwen met Hiroyuki Koda in Lakeland, Fl. They married in 1970 and their blended family included Cindi Pittman (Bo), Robert Cox (Michelle), David Koda (Adrienne), and Hiro Koda (Jahnel). Additionally, she helped raise her three nephews Shinji Matsuda (Yoko), Jun Ogawa (Suzanne), and Makoto Hashiguchi (Stacey). Her family grew to include her grandchildren Briana Hazen (Everett), Hannah McCullars (Josh), Taylor Kerr (Christopher), Brittney Moore (John), Kitra Ross (Adam), Kila Harwick (Nick), Alex Koda (Anthony), Blaise Koda, Harmony Koda, Chloe Koda, Chaeli Koda, Kai Koda, and Takeo Koda. Great-grandchildren Kamryn, Bronx, Daegan, Novalee, Adaline, Evan, Liam, Avery, Cole, Frances, Logan, and Trenton, and bonus grandchildren Yuji, Sakura, Kenta, Evan, Kenzliee and Koa. Gwen has held numerous jobs throughout her life including over 30 years as the manager for the US Yoshukai Karate Association and more recently working as a scopist and proofreader for court reporters.

Gwen led an interesting life which included winning a singing contest at 12-years old, becoming the Indiana Indoor Archery State Champion, and being the first woman to receive a Black Belt in US Yoshukai Karate. Gwen loved her glass bottled cokes, poker, cigarettes, Native American stories and culture, Japanese culture and food, and most importantly her family. Gwen was preceded in death by her parents, Jack Robert and Alberta Lisk, her brother Gary Lisk, her husband Yuki Koda, and her son Tony Cox. She is survived by her sister, Kathie Lisk (Lindsey and Robbie), and her remaining children and grandchildren. The family has elected to hold a private celebration of life ceremony at a later date.. In lieu of flowers, please make all donations to The Montgomery Cancer Center Wellness Foundation in memory of Ms. Gwendolyn Grace Koda.

Jackson Professional Funeral Services is grateful to Ms. Koda's family for entrusting the final care and arrangements of their loved one to our caring and dedicated professionals. We solicit your continued, sincere support, and prayers for her family as they navigate through this experience.

Thank You,

JPFS

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gwendolyn Grace (Lisk) Koda, please visit our floral store.