Chris Donald Kolb, 59, of Fairmount, Texas., formerly of Nederland, Texas. passed away on Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Houston, Texas. Chris was born on November 17, 1966, in Nederland, Texas.
Graduating from Little Cypress Mauriceville High school in 1985, then going on to serve his country in the United States Navy, Chris began his adult life with a spirit of service. Chris continued that same spirit of service while working for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice where he served as a Correctional Officer V, at both the Garza Unit in Beeville, Texas and the Larry Gist State Jail Facility in Beaumont, Texas for over 10 years.
Chris loved singing and possessed an incredible musical talent that gave him the ability to play almost any instrument by ear beautifully. His ability to sing and sound exactly like Elvis Presley allowed him the opportunity to enter and win many singing competitions. He also used this gift to serve the Lord by singing with the Clouds of Glory Gospel Group. Other than enjoying his musical talents, Chris had a true love for fishing both salt water as well as fresh water at Sabine Lake, Toledo Bend Lake and just about anywhere he could find to wet a hook. He somehow possessed the ability to catch fish while others fishing with him couldn’t seem to even get a nibble. It was this passion that he passed onto his oldest son, Joshua Kolb, who took that passion to another level by starting his own successful social media fishing channel. Chris was a real jokester with a personality that kept others around him laughing and entertained.
Those left to cherish Chris’ memory include his wife of 39 years, Joy Kolb; sons, Joshua Kolb and wife, Sabrina, and Cameron Kolb; daughter, Krystal Kolb; brother, Jay Kolb and wife, Michelle; step-brother, Nolan DeShazo and wife, Emily; step-sister, Natalie Hill and husband, Jeff; four wonderful grandchildren, Gracelynn Kolb, Samuel Kolb, Skylar Kolb and Elijah Kolb; step-father, Ceyril Paulus; nephew, Kody Kolb and wife, Jaci; niece, Kelsi Kolb and Fiancé, Dalton Glover; mother-in-law, Donna Miles; and brothers-in-law, David Miles and John Miles.
Chris is preceded in death by his father, Donald Gene “Big Daddy” Kolb; his mother, Beverley Paulus; grandparents, Tilmon Casey Kolb and Cliffie Marie Kolb, Robert Trixie Hall and Betty Dwyer; uncles, Gary Kolb and Tommy Kolb; aunt, Carrie Smith; and his father-in-law, Michael Miles.
A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Melancon~Levingston Funeral Home in Nederland, Texas, from 3:00pm~5:00pm with a Celebration of Life Service to begin with Full Military Honors at 5:00pm.
Let us come together to share memories and celebrate the life of a husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, friend and a True American Hero.