George "Butch" Kolf

George S. Kolf
1944- 2024
After a life of service to family and friends, the community and his country, U.S. Navy Veteran George S. "Butch" Kolf set sail on his eternal journey Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
Before George discovered life at sea, he built his foundation on land. Born in the "Motor City" to his parents, the late Hazel and George Kolf, George grew up in Detroit, where he graduated from East Detroit High School in 1962 and attended Macomb Community College. As a self-described "blue collar kid with a lead foot," George moved full throttle into his young life whether it was running cross country in high school or nabbing the occasional speeding ticket. At only 17-years-old, George began working at Koltanbar on automotive body assembly machinery checking fixtures before he decided to enlist in the United States Navy in 1964.
George attended electrician school during his time in the Navy and earned an electrician apprentice qualification that contributed to the role he played on the now infamous aircraft carrier U.S.S. Forrestal. It was on his first day on the U.S.S. Forrestal that he met his lifelong best friend Frank "Red" Steele who ended up standing faithfully by his side many years later as he took his final breaths (alongside George's beloved bride of 54 years Marlene). During George's service in the Navy, he truly "seized the day" (his favorite saying being "Carpe Diem") as he witnessed many great sights and experiences, including the Acropolis and the Parthenon in Greece; a bull fight in Barcelona, Spain; New York City life and so much more.
On July 29,1967, the U.S.S. Forrestal where George was serving in the Navy experienced a severe fire while operating on Yankee Station off Vietnam that killed 134 Sailors and aviators, injured 161, and destroyed 21 aircraft (U.S Naval History and Command ). According to the U.S. Navy, this was (and remains) the second worst loss of life on a U.S. Navy ship since World War II. George blessedly survived this tragedy and was allowed to live out his legacy of service to others. It was during this time that George (unknowingly at the time) held a glucose bag for Senator John McCain, who was also serving on the ship and had sustained injuries in battle, because the carrier became limited in medical stanchions due to the fire.
When George honorably completed his service in the Navy, he returned to Detroit where he met and married the love of his life Marlene in 1970. While building a family, he returned to his automotive roots and started his draftsmen career at the former Chrysler Company, before moving to General Motors, where he ultimately retired in April 2002.
While serving as a loving husband to Marlene and devoted father to his three sons Scott, Brian and Jeff, George continued his life of service as a volunteer with Winning Futures, a high school mentorship program: Beaumont Hospital and the Veteran's History Project. In 2006, he received the President's Volunteer Service Award by President George W. Bush, which honors the important role of volunteers in America's strength and national identity.
An avid collector of memorabilia and collectible trading cards (as evidenced by his very full and interesting basement), George enjoyed many hobbies, including bowling, dining out or watching movies with friends; listening to his "Doo Wop" and 1960s music (especially Motown) on his vintage jukebox, or in later years on his iPad; and coaching many youth soccer teams. While doing all these things, he nurtured a "sweet tooth" and was never one to turn away a good dessert especially his wife Marlene's home-made cream puffs. He was a gifted speaker and loved telling stories to a crowd. Out of all his activities and accomplishments, though, nothing made him prouder than being a grandpa. And George's strong faith in God gave him strength throughout his life, but especially at the end when he ultimately battled several major illnesses.
George was pre-deceased by his brother Bobby during early childhood. Left to carry on George's legacy of service and "Carpe Diem" spirit are his sons Scott (Jennifer) of Troy, MI, Brian (Melissa) of Clawson, MI and Jeff (Erin) of Utica, MI. Truly the "wind in his sails," were his beloved grandchildren Alexis and Ian; Andrew and Ella; and Emerson, Monroe and Lennon. Left with decades of memories are his sister-in-law, Sharon Dinello (Jack) of Macomb and his nephew Jack (Rosemary) and niece Lori.
George was also a loving "dog dad" to Tali, who stood faithfully by his bedside at the end of his life. The family will receive family and friends Friday, April 19, 2024, 2-9 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Directors, 8459 Hall Road (three blocks east of Van Dyke Avenue) Utica, MI. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, April 20, 2024, 10 a.m. at St. Kieran Church, 53600 Mound Rd, Shelby Township, MI. George will lay in state at the church the day of the service at 9:30-10 a.m. The family would like to extend a gracious thanks to all the staff at Beaumont Hospital (Troy), Fresenius Kidney Care Shelby Township Dialysis and Hospice of Michigan. Thank you for your loving care when George needed it most. Memorial tributes may be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan, Inc., 1169 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108 ~ OR ~ St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 www.stjude.org/tribute. Please share a memory with his family at www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com