Richard Lawrence Kolar passed away on January 2, 2026, after fighting endocarditis, sepsis and other underlying conditions. Richard struggled with health issues from 2017 and yet he rarely, if ever complained. In fact, he maintained a sunny demeanor, often poking humorously about himself.
Richard was born in Michigan to Marsha and Larry Kolar. He was their first born of three children. Richard has two younger siblings, a sister, Michele and a brother, Robert.
Richard attended parochial school until the age of 10 when his family moved to Texas.
In high school Richard was on the swim team, in choir, and discovered his passion of Barbershop Chorus and quartet singing.
After high school Richard made the significant decision to join the United States Guard. During his 20-year (and 9 months) career, Richard took part in the opening of the American Consulate in Vladivostok, Russia. He was also part of the introduction of Homeland Security following the attacks on US soil on September 11th. Richard worked for the White House under the Bush 43 Administration and closed his expansive career with Coast Guard intelligence achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer.
Richard met his wife Lourie in 1992 in an unusual twist of fate when both met on a night that neither of them had planned on going anywhere. After two dances, the rest was history. Richard and Lourie were married on September 25th of 1993 and two years later they went to the Temple to be sealed for time and all eternity.
Richard took part in Barbershop music through much of his life being in such high-ranking choruses as The Vocal Majority and The Alexandria Harmonizers. He attended many competitions of Barbershop including not only choruses but quartets as well.
Richard was known as a talker. He was extremely friendly and enjoyed striking up conversations with anyone he met. It was a true gift that he exercised often. He enjoyed sharing stories of his Coast Guard days, Barbershop, and funny anecdotes of himself and family. Richard also had a true love for the gospel and never shied away from sharing his insights and testimony.
Richard loved his family first, always and forever. They were his first and last thoughts of every day.
Richard was preceded in death by his father, Larry Kolar and his mother Marsha Ann Kolar. Richard is survived by his wife, Lourie Kolar, his children, Kristin Wilson (Gavin Wilson), Emily Kolar, Ryan Kolar and his grandson Flynn Wilson.
