Bryan Jenkins Pohlman

If the University of Kentucky’s football team has a stellar season next year, thank Bryan Jenkins Pohlman of LaGrange for putting in a good word. An avid fan, but more importantly, a proud father and husband, Bryan died Wednesday, February 1, at Hosparus Health in Louisville, surrounded by his wife, children, parents, and closest family. He was 55.

His love of college football began as a child, going to games with his dad and traveling to stadiums throughout the Southeastern Conference (even getting escorted out of the Alabama stadium for taking an unauthorized elevator ride to the press box). Bryan passed that love along, sharing it with his wife, Shawna, and children, Kayla, 16, and Kota, 15. So schooled on SEC football were they that by the time Kota was 9, he could recognize and name the university, city, and mascot of every SEC stadium simply from aerial photos. While UK football was his first sports love, basketball shared Bryan’s heart; in fact, basketball is how he met Shawna, who was coaching an opposing team. Bryan spent most of his adult life coaching high school basketball teams. He coached at St. Margaret Mary, St. Albert the Great (including to a Louisville City Championship), Trinity, St. Francis, North Oldham, South Oldham, and Henry County. Bryan poured himself into every team and season, seeing his job not only to teach the fundamentals of basketball but also of life. Of his nearly 30 years of coaching, the last was the greatest honor: coaching his daughter, Kayla, on the Oldham County freshman girls’ team.

Bryan graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science and secondary education from the University of Louisville, but the draw of being his own boss spurred him to start a business, Bryan Pohlman Lawn and Landscaping. He took great pride in a lawn perfectly mowed. Sometimes, after a particularly satisfying yard, Bryan would pull out a chair and a Diet Pepsi and sit back to appreciate a job well done—and he spent more than a few Sunday afternoons driving around to check on his customers’ lawns. One of his greatest joys was having his son join him in the work.

Of all his accomplishments, none were more important than creating a family. Bryan and Shawna welcomed Kayla and Kota into their home and hearts. Most Christmases they spent on the beach in Panama City, Florida, one of the family’s favorite spots. On the long drive, they’d host “car concerts,” where Bryan introduced the kids to the tunes of his favorite bands, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and other circa 1980s heavy metal group. When Kayla was home sick from school, they would sneak off to Waffle House for a home cure of pancakes and syrup. Bryan and Kota scouted out fishing ponds throughout Oldham and Jefferson counties; they never caught much, but that didn’t stop them from making up fish stories. Bryan loved to cheer on the kids as they played various sports and even joined them in taking up taekwondo, ultimately earning his black belt. After his diagnosis of glioblastoma brain cancer, Bryan was determined to be a part of important milestones: he celebrated with Kayla on her sweet 16 and took Kota on his first driving lesson. Married in 2001, Shawna and Bryan traveled to Hawaii for their honeymoon; his Hawaiian shirt from the trip was one of his favorites, a reminder of their shared life.

In addition to his wife and children, Bryan is survived by his mother, Connie S. Pohlman; his father, John F. Pohlman; both of Louisville; his sister, Mary Beth Pohlman Sherwood and nephew Berto and niece Eliana, all of Crestwood; niece Madeline and nephew Griffin Queen, both of Fort Thomas; nephew Xavier Thompson-Wright of Crestwood; aunts Janie (John) Haupt of Orlando and Dana (Dennis) Brohm of Louisville; great-aunt, Joy (Robert) Eberenz; and cousins, Robert Eberenz Jr., Mark Brohm, John Haupt III, and Jordan Haupt. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Herman and Mary Jane “Meme” Jenkins and John and Ellie Pohlman, and his uncle Raymond (Gail) Pohlman. An animal lover, Bryan also will be missed greatly by Templeton and Milo, the cats, and Ally, the dog.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 7, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Heady-Radcliffe Funeral Home, 706 W Jefferson St, La Grange, KY 40031. A celebration of life service will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, February 8, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Jim Powell officiating. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent to the Bryan Pohlman Memorial Fund in care of PNC Bank, 415 South First Avenue, LaGrange, KY 40031.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.heady-radcliffefuneralhome.com for the Pohlman family.