Edward "Jib” Martin Colie, III

COLUMBIA - Edward “Jib” Martin Colie, III was a true Renaissance man who excelled as a sailor, master machinist, author, navigator, welder, master mechanic, and all around problem solver. As a Project Director at the South Carolina State Museum, he was a champion for accessibility; and created the Total Spectrum Access System that enabled any person, regardless of ability, to have a high-quality experience in a museum setting. In the 1980’s, he worked for his local community as a volunteer fire fighter and EMT, and helped others further their knowledge as a training officer for both of these programs. Jib was an avid sailor and loved all things nautical, especially wooden boats. A longtime member of the sailing community, his passion for the water was shared via his weekly column, The Inland Sea, in the Lake Murray News. He raced sailboats, sports cars, motocross, and BMX, where he was ranked in the top ten in the nation for two years in a row. His love of sport, and enabling others to do it, is further demonstrated by his tenure as a track director for the Harbison BMX track. In 1989, he received the Lake Murray Yacht Racing Association’s Sportsman of the Year award, in recognition of his efforts to help everyone enjoy their day on the water. In addition to helping the community, he was also passionate about electric cars, and shared his knowledge and thoughts on the subject by writing a weekly column on this as well.

Ed was an amazingly brilliant, enthusiastic, and involved person to work or play with, and inspired people to learn, grow, and enjoy what they were doing. He was always ready to lend a helping hand and share his expertise with anyone.

As a loving, caring, and patient father, he enjoyed passing on his knowledge to his sons and grandchildren through projects that kept them occupied, engaged, and having fun. His wisdom enabled him to purvey the importance of finding joy in life, helping others, and living by the Golden Rule. He is survived by his wife of fifty five years, and his kindness, compassion, and energy made this time go by in a flash. We were very lucky to have him. He will be missed and fondly reminisced.

Surviving are his wife, Karen Kuhlmann Colie; sons, Dayton (Amanda) of Charleston, Edward IV “Ward” (Amanda Minnet) of Chapin; grandchildren, Maggie and Kennedy of Charleston; brother, Matthew Colie of Michigan.

He is predeceased by his father, Edward M. Colie II of Mystic Seaport, CT; mother, Frances Euler Colie of Mystic Seaport, CT; and sister, Laura Colie Kuhlmann of Spreckles, CA.

May you always have “Fair winds and a following sea”.

A Celebration of Ed's Life will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2023 from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. at Indian Creek Association, 317 Indian Creek Circle, Chapin, SC.