Paul Kolasci Jr.

Paul Kolasci, Jr., walked into the waiting arms of his Lord on June 23, 2020 at home in Bryan, Texas, where he resided since 1989. He was born on September 24, 1924, in Belmont County, Bridgeport, Ohio, to Paul Kolasci and Ann Ragus Kolasci. He married Thelma Breaux in Orange, Texas on October 6, 1946.

He leaves behind two children: son, Paul Kolasci, III; daughter and son-in-law, Patti and Calvin S. Wade; grandson Calvin Paul “CP” Wade and wife Brittney; two sisters and their husbands, Naomi and Willard Maxwell, and Brenda and Carl Pettit; brother-in-law, Moody and wife Judy Breaux. Preceding him in death were his parents, his sister, Virginia Parchmain, and his loving wife of 64 years, Thelma, who passed away on April 29, 2011. Two additional family members, his granddogs, DaisyMae and HarleyBow, brought him years of joy and wonderful companionship.

Paul attended Parochial School at Wolfhurst, Ohio and High School in Bridgeport, Ohio.  He enlisted in the Navy in 1942, as an Apprentice Seaman. His military service included World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Sea Duty assignments included Squadron VB-1, USS Matagorda; USS Monitor, USS Markab, USS Dixie, USS Prairie, USS Bryce Canyon, Staff 16^th Fleet, USS Vermillion, USS Adirondack, USS Amphion, USS Piedmont, Staff Cruiser Destroyer Force Pacific Fleet, and the USS Newport News CA148, where he retired. Shore Duty assignments were Orange, TX, Portsmouth, VA, and Beeville, TX.

In 1946, Paul attended Stenographers School in San Diego, CA, and in 1947 The Naval Justice School in Port Hueneme, CA.  As a result, he was assigned as a Court Stenographer on General Courts-Martial, Summary Courts-Martial, and the Investigative Service. He retired in 1968, as Senior Chief Petty Officer, and then went to work for the U.S. Postal Service in Beeville, TX, then back to NAS Chase Field in Beeville, holding the position as Military Support Division Officer, retiring in 1986, after 18 years of service.

Paul loved the honor of serving his country.  He enjoyed many years of golfing, fishing, and sending many greeting cards out to those in his life.  He never met a stranger; he always talked to people and tried to make someone laugh or smile.  He was a wonderful provider, and the rock of his family.  Those who “truly knew him” would understand that he was a “Real Character.”

A Visitation and Reception will be held at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home, on Monday, June 29, from 5:00–7:00 pm. Funeral services will be on Tuesday, June 30, at 11:00 am at the Callaway-Jones Funeral & Cremation Center in Bryan. Certified Life Celebrant Dawn Lee Wakefield will officiate. Afterwards, the Thin Blue Line Motorcycle escort will lead the procession to Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Bryan, for Final Rite of Committal, with Msgr. John McCaffrey officiating. Full Military Honors will be administered by representatives of the U.S. Navy as well as Post 159 of the American Legion in Bryan.

Pallbearers include Craig Schulman, Tommy Mackey, John Ruffino, Glenn Gibson, Matt Carr, Mike Orts, Hunter Still, Rick Taylor, and Mike Perez. Honorary pallbearers include Max Jaques, Merlin Juilfs, Dan Sears, and his golfing buddies.

The family wishes to thank Hospice Brazos Valley for their tender and thoughtful care of our beloved father. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be offered in memory of Paul Kolasci, c/o to Hospice Brazos Valley, 502 W. 26^th Street, Bryan, TX 77803.

Our family also wishes to share our appreciation to Msgr. John McCaffrey of St. Joseph Catholic Church and special thanks to the St. Joseph Folk Group Family for sharing their gifts of music for his memorial service. Thanks to Cody Jones, Anaili Diane Hernandez (Funeral Director), and Dawn Lee Wakefield (Certified Life Celebrant) of Callaway-Jones Funeral & Cremation Centers as well as the entire Callaway-Jones family for their expressions of thoughtfulness and comfort at key times during our father’s final days. Express condolences at CallawayJones.com.

                                                                                   ~Fair winds and following seas~