John Bernard Kohl III

Gifted with a surveyor’s precision, an entrepreneur’s curiosity, a tireless work ethic, and a playful, mischievous sense of humor, John loved a good beer, a good joke, and good company. And you could always find plenty of each in his presence.

John loved life, and he found a certain pleasure and enjoyment in all the crazy, silly, and odd experiences it may bring. If there was a new gadget, tool, or gizmo, he was the first to get it. If there was a new (sometimes tacky) joke or story, John was the first to tell it. And he delighted in sharing all of these and his joy of life with others.

The only thing that surpassed his love for life was John’s love for his family and friends. John was an extremely generous man and helped many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends throughout his life. His gentle teasing put people at ease, was an unwritten welcome into his world, and masked a fierce loyalty to those he cared for.

John was born in Nashville on January 1, 1940. He was one of five children born to Mary Badacour and John B. Kohl, Jr., who both preceded him in death.

John attended Cathedral Elementary School and graduated from Father Ryan High School in 1958.

After graduation, John took a job with Jim Murphy Surveying. In 1963, John started his own surveying company: John Kohl & Company. John grew his business to be one of the largest surveying groups in the southeast and one of the most successful small businesses in Nashville.

Self-proclaimed as “St. John the Surveyor”, he was extremely proud of his profession. He earned his surveying license on December 30, 1967. John would note throughout life that his license number was #100, meaning that he was the 100th person licensed to perform land surveying in the state of Tennessee.

In 1968, John helped to establish and was a Charter Member of the Tennessee Association of Professional Surveyors (TAPS), and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from TAPS in 2007. He also served as a State Governor representing TAPS in the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) for many years.

John often remarked that the reason the United States was such a great country was that its greatest presidents were land surveyors, including Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln. To John, Mount Rushmore was a monument to three great land surveyors … and some other guy.

Early in his life John sold newspapers on the gritty streets of downtown Nashville. This work began his love affair with Music City, especially downtown where his office was located for almost 50 years. While John and his company surveyed thousands of parcels in and around Middle Tennessee, in his later years, John enjoyed long rides in and around downtown Nashville to reconnect and revisit the roots of the city he adored.

John is survived by his wife of 60 years, Helen “Bunny” Holzapfel Kohl. Married on February 24, 1962, John met his match with Bunny. She matched his sense of humor, love of family and friends, and, with a simple, “Oh, John!” punctuated perfectly the end to many a silly story. A perfect match.

John is also survived by his three children, Mary Dorothy (Steve, deceased) Smith, Karen Kohl, and Steve Kohl; and 3 grandchildren: Emily, Ellen, and Christopher Smith

John was preceded in death by his son, John Everett Kohl; grandson, Stephen Kohl Smith, and sister, Kay Kohl Wyatt.

Throughout his life, John treasured his family, including brother and sisters: Kay, deceased (Randall) Wyatt, Angela (Billy, deceased) Drennan, Jim (Liz) Kohl of Knoxville, and Margaret Rose (Tommy, deceased) Allen; in-laws: Merrill (Ray) Hare, Paula (Bob, deceased) Long, Everett (Mary Claire) Holzapfel, Pat, deceased (Jerry) Strobel, Carole (James) Donnelly, Theresa (Jack) Hughes, Dorothy (Dick) Sollee, Rita (Pat) Thompson, Morgan (Sally) Holzapfel, Cathy (Joe, deceased) Caldwell, Steve (Sue) Holzapfel, Susie (Terry) Rowland, Barbara (Bill, deceased) Hobbs, and John (Lisa) Holzapfel; and more than 70 nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 4pm to 6pm (Rosary at 6pm) on Wednesday, June 15, at St. Henry’s Catholic Church, 6401 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN, 37205. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10am on Thursday, June 16, at St. Henry’s Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Down Syndrome Association of Middle TN, Room In The Inn, or a charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.marshalldonnellycombs.com for the Kohl family.