Bohumil Koloc

Bohumil "Jim" Koloc, LCDR U.S.Navy (Retired), age 97, of Minneapolis, MN, formerly of Waterloo, I and Jacksonville, FL, died on January 13, 2022, of natural causes.

Preceded in death by parents Bohumil and Edna; brothers, Jan and Tony. Survived by children, Jim (JoAnn), Paul, David, Terry (Dawn), Kathryn Koloc Greiner, of Carson City, NV and Michael J. Dunshee, Jacksonville, FL; grandchildren, Blaise (Becky), Shannon, Drew (Amanda), Lauren (Joe) Anna (Cedric), Elizabeth (Allyn), Emily (Jordan) and Clara; sister-in-law, Linda; many great-grandchildren, cousins, nephews and nieces.

For someone who hated the cold, it's no surprise that Bo was born snowbound between their New Jersey farm and the hospital on February 23, 1924, and his remarkable life was thus defined by challenges tackled and adversities overcome. But he will be remembered most for his absolute zest for life and the lives he touched with that passion.

Bo was at home anywhere he went, perhaps exemplified best by his ability to make friends of anyone. There were no strangers in his life, and to the constant amazement of his family, there was literally no place he could go without knowing someone there. His kindness and generosity were limitless, especially to those less fortunate.

Hailing from a long line of artisans and engineers, Bo had a brilliant mind; creating, building, fixing or improving something was second nature to him and his brothers. He was an accomplished designer and artist; the two-story gambrel roof barn he built for the guinea pig was a masterpiece, and he worked magic with a sewing machine. With an Art Education degree from Western Washington University, Bo returned to the classroom for several years as a part-time teacher after retiring from the U. S. Navy. He loved sharing his knowledge with others, whether it was the principles of flight, gourmet grilling, tuning an engine, or couple's tennis. He loved his martinis and Cadillacs and anything of quality, but beneath it all were the real lessons he taught his kids about faith and family, and how freedom requires vigilance and sacrifice. As much as anything, he loved a good laugh and surprised caregivers with his offbeat humor right up to the end. Not that he was always an easy customer.

Bo's logbooks document his many Hellcat and Avenger carrier landings in two world wars, the countless cadets he graduated from flight training, and his many hours in the H-34 helicopter; dipping sonar for subs, shuttling scientists around Antarctica, or just qualifying Weekend Warriors at NAS Twin Cities. If the Navy was his life, flying was his oxygen. What his logbooks don't reveal is why one twenty-year-old safely reaches Maui in a thunderstorm when the rest of the flight doesn't, or how to create lift when there is none, or where to find the nerve to keep a burning airplane full of soldiers from falling onto a sleeping city. After the devastating floods of 1965, Bo received the Sikorsky Helicopter Winged-S award for performing lifesaving rescues - twice. They say you can always tell a Navy fighter pilot, but you can't tell them much. Bo had the skills to go with his confidence, and perhaps a little luck didn't hurt either. He used to joke that he'd never jump out of a perfectly good airplane, and never did.

Private interment. Funeral Mass and Celebration of Life to be held at a future date.

The family wishes to acknowledge the incredible folks at the Minneapolis Veteran's Home, especially the gracious and dedicated caregivers staffing the 4th Floor of Building 19. You are amazing, and our hearts go out to you.

The lion sleeps tonight.