Alex Irwin Koji,88, of Galax passed away Sunday, January 9, 2010 at the Waddell Nursing Home, Galax, VA. Alex was born May 11, 1921 in New York to Stephen and Mary Toth Koji.

Alex was a 1943 graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as an aeronautical engineer. His first job was working on the gull wing Corsair fighter project. He served the full wing Corsair Fighter project. He served in the US Air Force as a Sergeant in the Pacific Theatre. In 1951 he graduated from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute School of Management. He worked for 33 years in various aviation manufacturing, engineering and management roles in Connecticut, New Jersey, and North Carolina. Achievements including being an elected member SAE Committee for Aircraft Cabin Safety Provisions participating in NTSB airline crash investigations, co-holder of patient "Vehicle Seat Structure" granted in 1971.

He was active in Cub Scouts & Boy Scouts as a cub master and Boy Scout Troop Leader in Connecticut.

In 1988 he opened the International Hostel Blue Ridge Mountain to world travelers.
He served on the Southern Region Board, American Youth Hostels, President, Piedmont Council of American Youth Hostels at its inception; member of Volunteers-In-Parks; Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway-Fisher's Peak Chapter.

He was active in the Mizpah Moravian Church, Rural Hall, NC and the Glenwood United Methodist Church, Galax, VA.

He was a dedicated husband, a great father; he loved people and tried to make the world a little better while he was here.

Alex is survived by his wife Lois Anderberg Koji of the home; daughter Kathy Koji of Denver, Colorado; son Steve Koji of Lakeside, California; sister Mary Ann McCusker of Atlanta, Georgia, six grandchildren, two nieces and one nephew. In addition to his parents,he was preceded in death by his son Bradford Koji.

A memorial ceremony will be held in the spring of 2010.