Obituaries

James M. Kolb

Photo of James M. Kolb
James Monroe Kolb, Jr.M.D. passed from this life on Wednesday, May 28, 2014. He was born on December 31, 1932 in Little Rock. He was 82 years old at the time of his passing. Dr. Kolb was a man of many interests and great achievements. He was a pioneer in the field of orthopedic medicine in Arkansas and a leader in the Arkansas medical community. He was a great athlete, accomplished aviator and family patriarch. He had an unwavering loyalty to his family and friends and an inner goodness and strength that made people instantly and forever trust and respect him. He cherished his sons, his entire family and spending time with his loving and beautiful wife, Pat. His strength, integrity and kind nature made him a memorable and special force in the lives of so many. He will be deeply missed by all who had the honor of knowing him. Dr. Kolb graduated from Clarksville High School in 1951 where he was an All-State football player. He went on to play football at the University of Arkansas and was member of the famed "25 Little Pigs" team that won the Southwest Conference in 1954 and played in the Cotton Bowl. Jim was so proud when his father, Dr. James Monroe Kolb, Sr. presented his doctor of medicine diploma to him at the University of Arkansas Medical School graduation in 1959. After completing his residency training and practicing in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Jim became the first orthopedic surgeon in the entire River Valley in 1970. He fought hard to bring cutting edge orthopedic surgery techniques and instruments to the region. Through his skill and commitment to his practice, he successfully cared for his orthopedic patents in the region for over 25 years. Dr. Kolb was committed to serving and leading the medical community. He was a lifelong member of the Arkansas Medical Society and served as president from 1994 to 1995. He also was a member of the Arkansas Orthopedic Society (Secretary-Treasurer 1980-81 and President 1981-82), the Mid-Central States Orthopedic Society, the Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the Pope County Medical Society, the American Medical Association, and the Southern Medical Association. Dr. Kolb served as a flight surgeon in the Air National Guard, achieving a rank of Major before honorably leaving active duty in 1968. While serving, he developed a passion for aviation. He owned many types of planes and loved to fly whenever and wherever possible. Jim had many other interests, including skiing, horseback riding, scuba diving, sailing, history, genealogy, photography and rooting for his beloved Razorbacks. He regularly attended his university's football and basketball games and was a Life Member of both the Arkansas Alumni Club and The"A" Club. He was extremely proud to have instilled in his grandchildren a love for the Hogs. Jim was also a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the Masons (Franklin Lodge # 9, Clarksville, Arkansas), a Charter Member of the WWII Museum, the Russellville Rotary Club, and the Johnson County Historical Society. Surviving are his wife, Pat Murphy Kolb, and his three sons and their spouses, David Clifton, M.D. and Cindy Skinner Kolb of Little Rock, Joseph Franklin, J.D. and his wife Cindy Worthing Kolb, J.D. of Little Rock, and Richard Carl and Madeleine Kaplar Kolb of Palm Harbor, Florida. He is also survived by his three stepchildren and their spouses, Elizabeth Ward and Adam Cramer of Burbank, California, Van Thomas Ward and his wife Ann Richland of Pasco, Washington, and Margaret Ward Filbert and her husband Brent Filbert of Olathe, Kansas. Other surviving family members are his niece, Reba Jane Callaway and her husband Joe Doug Driver, nephew, James Richard Callaway, M.D., grandchildren, Matthew David Kolb, Madison Paige Kolb, Mason Alexander Kolb, Caroline Emma Kolb, Emily Grace Kolb, Meghan Lilly Kolb, James Alexander Kolb, Zachary Hunter Kolb, and step-grandchildren, Quinlan Murphy Cramer, Clara Filbert and Taylor Filbert. Dr. Kolb was preceded in death by his parents, James Monroe Sr. M.D. and Reba Lois Garner, his oldest son, James "Jimmy" Monroe Kolb III, and sister, Martha Jane Kolb Callaway. The family will receive friends in Russellville on Friday, May 30, 2014 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Humphrey Funeral Service. A visitation will be held in Clarksville at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 31, 2014 in the Kolb Chapel of First Presbyterian Church, 212 North College St., and will be followed by a Life Celebration at 11 a.m. in the main sanctuary of the Church. Rev. Robert Lowry will officiate. Burial with full military honors will be private at Oakland Cemetery in Clarksville, under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service. Pallbearers will be Jim Kennedy, Seth Coulter, Dr. Bob May, Richard Callaway, Joe Driver and Matthew Kolb. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Russellville Noon Rotary Club. The online obituary and guestbook may be found at www.humphreyfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Clarksville, 212 North College St, Clarksville, Ark. 72830.

Published May 30, 2014

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