George J. Kolb

George J. Kolb, 90, passed away on Monday September 24, 2018 at his home. He was born in Binghamton on August 14, 1928 to the late George F. and Margaret Kolb. He graduated from Johnson City High School and went on to earn an Associates Degree in agriculture from SUNY Alfred. George served his country in the US Army from 1950 – 1952 and always remembered the time he was assigned guard duty for Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie. Upon his discharge from the Army, George returned home and was recognized as the first airline passenger to disembark at Edwin A. Link Field in Binghamton. George then began his career as a dairy herd improvement supervisor in Broome County. He was responsible for testing the butter fat content of milk for many farms across the county and kept accurate records for each cow on the individual farms. In 1960, George married Dorothy Slawson and they purchased their own dairy farm in 1961 in the town of Plymouth. Together, George and Dorothy raised their family on the farm in Plymouth and were hosts to over 20 foster children as well as summer fresh air children for many years. George served his community as the Town of Plymouth Assessor for 27 years and as a volunteer fireman for many years. He was a member of the local grange as well as the Farm Bureau, he loved literature, particularly poetry and Bible study. His Saturday morning nature walks with Don Winsor were treasured pastimes and he loved to sing in the choir as well as solos in Choconut Center United Methodist Church as well as Plymouth and Preston United Methodist Churches where he was a member for many years. George was predeceased by his wife Dorothy in 1998; his son, Roger; his daughter, Wendy; and his sisters, Leola (Fern) Quick and Barbara Keigler. Survivors include his children, John and Lilit Kolb, Mary and Roger Brown, and Keith and Denise Kolb; his grandchildren, William Kolb, Christy Foster and Jeremy Scott, Katie Kolb, and Heather Kolb; and his great-granddaughter, Alyssa as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial service will take place at 2:30 pm on Sunday September 30, at Preston United Methodist Church, 115 County Road 19, with Rev. Thanna Howell officiating. The family will receive friends at R.J. Fahy Funeral Home, 116 N. Broad St. Norwich on Saturday September 29, from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. George will be laid to rest privately at South Plymouth Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in George’s memory may be made to Preston United Methodist Church, 115 County Road 19, Oxford, NY 13830