02/27/2026
James Stanley "Jim" Kolanski
Jim was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania on January 21,1942 to Stanley and Margaret Kolanoski. After he graduated high school, he lived in Buffalo, New York where he attended college and continued his studies at Georgia Southern. In his twenties, he worked for Northwest Airlines where he met Arlene Mildred Kolanoski, his wife of 50 years and who precedes him in death. They lived in Atlanta, Georgia where they started a family. They gave birth and raised their two daughters, Kristin and Kari in Riverdale, Georgia and Whitesburg, Georgia. Jim went on to work for Proctor and Gamble for several years after which he decided to start his own business. He was a co-owner with his wife of an air freight business for 25 years. He took great pride in owning and running his own business. On the weekends, Jim worked tirelessly in his yard cutting grass, planting new shrubs and flowers, and maintaining the landscaping all while he had a cigar in his mouth, lit or not. He absolutely loved working in his yard wherever he lived; that was his joy and relaxation from a hard work week. Also, he loved going to plant nurseries where he learned about all different plants, shrubs, and trees that could grow and thrive in the area in which he lived. As another hobby to relieve stress, Jim owned and managed a pet store in Fayetteville, Georgia for two years. He had a heart for all animals and working in this store allowed him to interact, take care, and be around animals everyday which was an extreme joy for him.
In 2006, Jim and Arlene happily retired to Maricopa, Arizona. He decided he did not want to retire all together and continued to work as a hobby. Jim delighted in driving around Phoenix, learning new routes to get to different destinations in the Phoenix area. He had done it for so many years in the Atlanta area and in the state of Georgia in his everyday job as an air freight business owner and active driver for the company and carried that skill with him throughout his life. That love of giving directions on the “best” way of getting somewhere remained with him until he passed away. He was good at it for sure. He also enjoyed offering advice and sharing his knowledge and experience with anyone whether it be in giving directions to a destination, talking about sports, or discussing politics. Jim prided himself on hard work and found joy in connecting with people in his community. He loved sharing his humor in whatever way he could. He was a jokester for sure. He loved fiercely but did not mind telling anyone if he disagreed. He also enjoyed playing cards with his wife Arlene and his family and friends that he made in their new Arizona community. Many a time during a family visit, he would team up with his son-in-law Corey while his daughter Kristin would team up with his wife Arlene to play hand and foot. Most games went in favor of Jim and Corey. He knew how to play that game well!
Kari and her family will cherish many memories made with Dad including the notable trips to not only his home in Maricopa, Arizona but especially trips to Florida, Mexico; Las Vegas, Nevada and Hawaii. Of course, his visits to their Basalt, Colorado home held many great memories too including fishing together at various rivers and lakes, watching his grandson
play baseball and sitting out on their deck enjoying the view of nearby mountains, sounds and smells of freshly mown grass where Patches loved to run and roll around which Dad especially found much delight. A lot of great conversation and laughs were had on that sundeck. Many Basalt friends also had the opportunity to meet Dad and share in his humor and camaraderie.
Jim continued to live in Maricopa after his wife’s death in 2017. In December 2024, he moved to Montrose, Colorado where he lived with his daughter Kristin and her family until his death. He continued his love of playing cards, mostly playing Hearts on the Trickster app and Uno. Jim loved his loyal dog Patches fervently and delighted spending time with him. In the summer, he would sit with Patches everyday outside on the patio and remark how beautiful the views of the surrounding San Juan and Cimarron Mountains were, seeming to bask in that beauty.
He leaves behind his two daughters, Kristin Kolanoski (husband, Corey Robinson) and Kari Stoll (husband, Scott Stoll), his two grandchildren Sienna Robinson and RJ (Rodney James) Stoll, his younger sister Patricia Waldeck (husband, Gene Waldeck and son, Jeff Waldeck), and his dog of 9 years Patches. He loved his family fiercely and always loved talking to each of his grandchildren. Everytime he talked with Sienna, he would ask her about her horse Pistol and would want to know how he was doing and to find out the next riding adventure Sienna and Pistol would be having. Additionally, he loved spending time fishing and enjoyed the time he spent with RJ fishing in the Roaring Fork Valley two summers ago. Kari, Scott and RJ's most treasured memory will be Dad's last visit in the summer of 2024 to attend RJ's high school graduation from Aspen High School. Celebrating that milestone created a deeper connection between Jim and his grandson. RJ will always embrace that memorable celebration with his Pop Pop.
You could see in Jim’s eyes what joy he got from visiting, spending time, and talking with both Sienna and RJ. He truly loved them with all his heart. His passing has created a huge missing hole in all our hearts; he will be greatly missed. We love you forever, Dad.
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