Richard Paul Kolonko Sr., 94, of Hallettsville, passed away Thursday, September 15, 2016. He was born January 6, 1922, in La Vernia, Texas, to the late Peter and Rosie Kolonko. As a young boy, he helped with farming and breaking horses. He started painting pots with bluebonnet and cactus scenes at Meyers Pottery as a teenager. In 1942, he joined the U.S. Navy and proudly served for twenty years. While on leave from the Navy, he met his future wife in San Antonio. He was married to Wilhelmina Christine Langenberg on February 25, 1946, in Galveston.

Being a Navy family, they moved often living in Hawaii, Arizona, Central California, New Jersey and Southern California before settling in Texas in 1959 in the Shiloh Community. His service duty included flight mechanic, crew chief and flight engineer. He served on the aircraft carriers USS Bogue, USS Boxer and USS Kearsarge. After retiring from the Navy in 1961, he worked for Lavaca County Butane, Grahmann's Hardware and Pesek Memorials. He also experimented with grasses and grafting pecans of many different varieties. He enjoyed spending time tending to his flower and vegetable gardens, fruit trees, taking care of his cattle, dancing, fishing, telling stories, painting and spending time with family and friends.

Richard is survived by: his 3 children, Richard Paul Kolonko, Jr. & wife Beverly of Lake Jackson, David Lee Kolonko of Victoria, and Karen Lynn Hairell & husband Dan of Victoria; two granddaughters D'an Nicole Kocian & husband Chad of Hallettsville, and Kristi Lynn Heidrich & husband Eric of Victoria; four great grandchildren, Allie Nicole Kocian, Cole Allen Kocian, Hatley Belle Heidrich, and Holden Ray Heidrich; brother, Joe Kolonko of San Antonio; 2 sisters, Julia Friesenhahn of New Braunfels and Christine Slavin of Victoria; and his beloved dog Trixie.

Richard was preceded in death by: his wife of 66 years, Wilhelmina; his parents; 2 brothers, Leonard Kolonko and Peter Kolonko.

Funeral Service: 1 pm, Sunday, September 18, 2016, at St. Peter Lutheran Church of Hallettsville. Visitation: 5 pm to 7 pm, Saturday at Kubena Funeral Home. Pallbearers: Richard Kolonko, Jr., David Kolonko, Dan Hairell, Chad Kocian, Eric Heidrich, and John Parker, Jr. Officiant: Rev. Ray Hagan. Burial: Shiloh Cemetery. Memorials: Shiloh Community Center, Shiloh Cemetery Perpetual Care, or St. Peter Lutheran Church of Hallettsville.