Vernon Louis Kolb
1926-2017
Vernon Louis Kolb was welcomed into Heaven on Monday, May 22, 2017 and reunited with his beloved wife, Lennis. Kolb was born on November 4, 1926 to Louis Fredrick Kolb and Alma Marie (Ruff) Kolb in Storm Lake, Iowa. Vernon grew up in Storm Lake where he and his younger sister, Virginia helped with the family business of growing flowers and vegetables. Vernon was always very protective of Virginia and loved her dearly. Upon high school graduation Vernon served in the Army Air Corp during WWII and was stationed in Wichita Falls, Tx. After he was discharged he began his college career. He eventually enrolled in the University of Oklahoma where he met the love of his life at a church social. Vernon married Lennis Lorraine McMillan on February 23, 1955. Lennis was teaching school in Weatherford, Oklahoma and Vernon landed a teaching job in Osage County so the young married couple lived over 200 mile apart for the first 6 months of the marriage. Soon they both garnered teaching positions in Tulsa and earned their Masters. Vernon taught Industrial Arts in the Tulsa public schools until in 1965. At this time he was recruited by his principle to come on board of the first Vo-Tech in Oklahoma, Tulsa Vo-Tech. As Vo-Tech counselor, Vernon was responsible for seeking out, interviewing and recruiting qualified applicants from high schools from around the state to attend Tulsa Vo-Tech. Many a young man was influenced and guided (perhaps with a bit of discipline) towards a positive future by Mr. Kolb. He retired from the v-tech in 1987. Traveling, volunteering and church activities filled their retirement years. Meals-on Wheels was a weekly highlight as well as Bible studies. Vernon and Lennis were devoted to their Christian faith and where members of Asbury United Methodist Church in Tulsa for many years. In 2008 they decided to move closer to family in Edmond, Oklahoma. They joined New Hope Church of Christ were it was discovered that the pastor was actually Vernon’s cousin that he had never met. Small world. Vernon served as the Greeter until his very last Sunday on earth.
Vernon lost his dear Lennis to brain cancer on Christmas day of 2009. He held on to and trusted in his Lord more than ever as he adjusted to life without his Lennis. He used his time helping others however he could. He would drive all over the Oklahoma City area buying up wheel chairs in need of refurbishing. Always had wheel chairs in varying degrees of disrepair in his dining room waiting for him to rebuild and then donate to charities that needed them. Vernon also made a monthly drive to the Bethany Children’s Home with a carload of diapers he had purchased thought the month. Many other donations stories can be told of Vernon’s big heart and generous spirit.
Vernon was preceded in death by Lennis, his wife of 59 years, his parents, and sister, Virginia Louise Kolb Unger Kline, sister-in-law Mae Anne McMillan Steward, brother-in-laws Roland Steward, Richard Unger and Reed Kline. He is survived by nephew, Jim Steward and Karen Laster, niece, Jann Steward McCollom and husband Max McCollom. Also survived by nephew Jim Unger and wife Collette, John Unger, niece, Julianne Unger Hancock and husband Gary, and Jane Unger Melby and husband Ken Melby. Uncle Vernon leaves behind many great and great-great nieces and nephews. The family would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Lyndale Edmond Senior Living, especially the kitchen staff as Vernon loved the food! A very special “thank you” to Alan, Boyd, Trey, Larry, John and all the men of the Saturday MOB bible study group. Also, a sincere thank you to Mark Ruff and the entire New Hope family. Vernon was a very generous man and would be most honored if in lieu of flowers a donation made to the Bethany Children’s Home or the charity of your choice.
Funeral Services will be 2 p.m., Thursday May 25, 2017 at Matthews Funeral Home Chapel, Edmond, Oklahoma with Interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.