Joe John Koliha

Joe J. Koliha, Captain, USMC Retired, born September 23, 1931, Skidmore, TX died at home December 5, 2010. Joe was a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Dorothy; loving daughter, Pam Simpson; loving son, Rodney Koliha; grandchildren, Aaron W. Simpson and Lea Jo Hill; four great-grandchildren, Ashley Simpson, Joseph Simpson, Sierra Hill, and James Hill; Sister-in-law Linda Koliha (Rogers, TX); and niece and nephews; Kathy Jo Anders, Brian Prause, (both of La Grange, TX), Dennis Koliha, Michael Koliha, and Jason Koliha (all of Rogers, TX). Joe is preceded in death by parents Joseph J. and Hattie Koliha (Temple,TX); brother Jerry J. Koliha ( Rogers, TX); sister Dorthy Prause ( La Grange, TX); and son-in-law Gary Simpson.

Joe was a career Marine who served in two wars - he was there from the beginning in both of them, serving as both an officer and enlisted man.

He joined the Marine Corps on July 30, 1949. When the Korean War broke out in June of 1950 he went in with the 2nd Battalion, of the 5th Marines, 1st Marine Div. He served with that unit for the amphibious assault at Inchon and the seizure of Seoul. At Chosin Reservoir the 5th Marines were one of the lead elements and one of the ones that received the brunt of the massive Chinese attacks.

After the war, over a period of years, he served in recruiting duty in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Jersey. With the Marine detachment aboard the aircraft carrier Essex, he made the Lebanon Landings, serving as a Gunnery Sergeant on the Navy's 5-inch guns and also served in the same capacity when the carrier Kearsarge replaced the Essex. As a First Sergeant he was assigned to a Marine Air Control squadron at Cherry Point, N.C. After being commissioned an Officer in 1966, he got in on the ground floor of the Vietnam War and was also back later for a second tour.

He retired in 1971 - but family and friends will tell you: He never really left the Marine Corps.

After retiring from the United States Marine Corps, Joe worked for State Employment Services; Da/Pro Rubber of Broken Arrow. In retirement he was active in many Veterans organizations, especially the "Chosin Few", and enjoyed doting and spoiling his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Veterans charity of your choice.

"If Joe could talk to us today he would laugh and say he had been transferred to a new duty station. He did well at every post he ever served, and there's no reason to believe things are any different now. Semper Fi"

Visitation will be held from 4:00pm – 7:00pm, Thursday, December 9, 2010 at Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel and Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00am Friday, December 10, 2010 at Church of St. Mary. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel, 918-291-3500. www.fitzgeraldsouthwoodchapel.com