James John Kollar (83) went to meet his Savior on Saturday, September 27, 2025 concluding a life well-lived.  He was born on January 6, 1942 in Youngstown, Ohio.  He was preceded in death by his wife Betty Kollar, his daughter Cheri Kollar, and his parents Emil and Francie Kollar.  He has left behind daughters Kim (Ken) Cox and Melissa Kollar; three grandchildren, Josh (Brittany) Cox, Braden (Chandler) Cox, and Katherine Flory as well as three great-grandchildren, Emory Blythe Cox, Eleanor James Cox, and Mayer Kollar Cox.

These are the facts of Jim's life, but as he always said, the important things in life happen in the dash.  We see the date span of 1942-2025, but the dash between the year he was born and the year he passed carries a lot of weight as to who he was.

Jim's "dash" held his family who he cared for fiercely.  His girls and Betty were his motivation for most things.  What he saw as best for them was always at the forefront of his decisions.  And when he became a grandpa, and later a great grandpa, his joy was complete in teaching his children's children and grandchildren about growing vegetables, woodworking, and showing them the joys to be found on bike rides and on hikes in the woods.

His "dash" included a passion for travel.  He was always planning the next vacation, sometimes within days of getting home from one.  He traveled to nearly all 50 states and a good chunk of the national parks, his favorites being the mountainous parks out west.  One of his favorite mantras of "making memories" came up frequently on family trips as he saw both the good and bad events as ways to remember experiences.

Jim filled his "dash" with a passion for excellence in his profession.  His childhood years as a paperboy led to a job with the Youngstown Vindicator, which led to attaining a degree in the new field of computer science, eventually leading to his serving as Data Processing Manager for the newspaper.  Later he used those programming skills in his consulting business throughout the area.

Jim spent the last 50 of his "dash" years on his beloved property where he soaked in the peace and quiet through daily miles-long walks through his woods and along the stream.  Through daily early morning bike rides on the country roads where he got to know neighbors while getting exercise.  Through collecting candid family photos to hang on his walls.  And through hours upon hours of cutting logs to stay warm in the cold Ohio winters.

Sundays were for church and the rest of the days were to re-read your sermon notes while praying for family.  His office walls were literally covered with slips of paper with Bible verses and reminders to pray.  His well-used Bible was always to be found in the center of his coffee table for easy reach.

Jim Kollar lived his 83 years fully and intentionally, and he will be greatly missed.

Services will be on October 7, 2025, 11 AM, at Arbaugh-Pearce-Greenisen & Sons Funeral and Cremation Services, Salem. The Rev. John Bush of the Greenford Christian Church will be officiating. Jim will be laid to rest with his wife and daughter in Bunker Hill Cemetery in Goshen Township.

In lieu of flowers, the familiy would like for donations be made to Camp Carl  https://www.campcarl.life/