James Peter Kolar

James Peter (Jim) Kolar, 57, of North Edwards, CA, passed away on February 6, 2017. Born on September 24, 1959, in Manhattan, NY, Jim was the fifth of eight children born to the late Joseph (Joe) and Marie (Mimi) Kolar. He loved his brothers and sisters and loved to be in their company. A character from the start, Jim started accumulating friends at a very early age. Jim was a graduate of Santiago High School in Garden Grove, CA. He entered the Navy on April 27, 1983 and, after serving 20 years, retired on April 30, 2003. From the point of retirement to the present, he held a position at Edwards Airforce Base where he acquired and kept a close circle of friends. Jim’s time in the Navy allowed him to live in different parts of the world. He started his naval career at Naval Base San Diego boot camp and then was stationed in Jacksonville, Florida as a jet mechanic. His Naval career then transferred him to Texas, Scotland, Puerto Rico, Iceland and London. After retiring from the Navy, Postal Clerk-Petty Officer First Class, Jim worked as an Administrative Support Assistant at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Jim had a love of history and would regale anyone, who would lend him an ear, to interesting tidbits of history of the places he lived. Jim had the gift of gab and made friends wherever he went. He was the “life of the party” and if you heard laughter, Jim was in the middle of it. If there was a story to tell, Jim would tell it. A song to sing, he would sing it. He was big, bold and some might say brash, but he had a gentle heart and would give away his last dollar or the shirt off his back to someone in need. Jim is survived by his daughter, Scarlett and her husband Ewan Stark, his daughter Stevie Kolar and her daughter, Jim’s granddaughter, Melanie. As well as his brothers, Bill Kolar (JoAnn), Joe Kolar (Susan), Ed Kolar (Bea), Tom Kolar (Yanina) and sisters Kathy McKeown (Patrick), Geri Kolar, Lynn Logan and nieces and nephews. Jim was also predeceased by his paternal and maternal grandparents as well as his ex-wife, Alison Rose of Dunoon, Scotland, whom he remained close, his brother-in-law Jim Logan and cousin Denis DeNardo. The day grew darker the moment Jim left us, but the stars will eternally shine brighter. Jim will be heartily missed by all whose lives he touched, but will live on in our hearts as we remember the good times he was a big part of and as we share our special memories of him. An honest man here lies at rest As e'er God with his image blest; The friend of man, the friend of truth, The friend of age, and guide of youth: Few hearts like his, with virtue warm'd, Few heads with knowledge so informed: If there's another world, he lives in bliss; If there is none, he made the best of this. - Scottish poet, Robert Burns A funeral service will take place on March 11, 2017, 12 noon in Waverley Chapel at Fairhaven Memorial Park, Santa Ana. The family is grateful for all cards and flowers however, a memorial donation to the Cancer Research Institute www.cancerresearch.org in Jim’s name is also appreciated.