Jim Bryan "J.B." Kolb

Dateline: Simmons City J.B. Kolb, age 93, passed away on Thursday, October 26, 2017 following an extended illness. John the Baptist, known as J.B. was born September 7, 1924 in Streeter Texas. He was the 12th child of Effie Anna McMicken and Walter William Kolb. By all accounts but his own, he was spoiled by his mother and older sisters. At the age of 4 J.B. and family moved to Simmons in 1928. J.B. attended school at Simmons until it closed and then he transferred to Three Rivers. He attended Three Rivers High School until Uncle Sam called him to serve his country. Before going into the Marine Corp, he had his named changed to Jim Bryan. He rode a train to San Diego California where he completed basic training and then served on Attu in the Aleutian Islands. He was cold the whole time and swore he would never go north again when he got back to Simmons. As far as I know he never went further north than Brady, Texas where the Kolb family reunions are held. Brady being the largest town near the Kolb’s hometown of Streeter. When J.B. returned from the war he married a Simmons girl named Betty Jo McMahan. Betty Jo and JB had two beautiful daughters Linda and Evelyn before they divorced. The Lord called both girls at an early age. J.B. rode the Rio Grande as a tick inspector for several years until the divorce. He then started working in the oil field until he got a job with Mobil at the Kitty Plant. In 1957 he married Henrietta Fagan and bought a little place where his old house still stands. While working at the Kitty Plant he also helped the Herrings on their ranch and started his own little herd of cattle. As he and Henrietta prospered, they purchased more property around their home. When they purchased more property, J.B. would get it dozed and my brothers and I and other local youths would pick up roots and sticks so J.B. could put the field in coastal. Through the years when he would see a place covered in brush he would say “If that was mine I’d have Robert Matula in there before dark. He didn’t like brush in his pastures and he maintained his ranch that way during his life. In 1972, J.B. retired from Mobil and started ranching full time. He became successful and became well known in the Beefmaster cattle business. After Henrietta died J.B. married one of his high school girlfriends, Sarah Nell Youngblood, they were married until her death in 1997. After Sarah’s death I encouraged J.B. to remarry and not spend his final years alone. He told me “Rod, I’ve had 3 wives…I don’t want anymore.” J.B. is preceded in death by his parents, his 11 siblings, 3 wives and two beautiful daughters and many nieces, nephews and friends. J.B. is survived by many nieces, nephews and friends and his little dogs Cowboy and Sugar. Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 29, 2017 from 5-7 PM at Roberson Funeral Home, Three Rivers. Funeral Service will be Monday, October 30, 2017 at 10AM at the Simmons Community Church with Burial to follow at the Simmons Cemetery. Services entrusted to Roberson Funeral Home, Three Rivers

Jim Bryan "J.B." Kolb

September 7, 1924 - October 26, 2017