"As our gym/heath teacher and Coach in the brand new James Madison Junior High School (1961-1964), Mr.Kolkman was a great role model for all of us in our most formative years."
In loving memory of
Darrel Lorain Kolkman
April 30, 1939 - November 21, 2019
Darrel Lorain Kolkman, 80, of New London, died Thursday, November 21, 2019 at University Hospitals, Iowa City. He was born April 30, 1939 in Burlington to Delbert L. and Olive Louise Walker Kolkman. On September 3, 1960 he married Sandra Kay Jarvis at Shinar Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Pleasant Grove. He was a graduate of Yarmouth High School; attended 2 years at Burlington Jr. College on a basketball scholarship; graduated from Iowa State Teachers College; and received his Master's at Northeast Missouri State in Kirksville. The Kolkman's were one of the founding families of Calvary Baptist Church where he served on many committees and as a deacon several times. He enjoyed teaching and coaching, was very faithful to his church, refereed basketball for many years, and loved promoting the Hackney breed. He spent hours and hours mentoring his two grandchildren whom he loved very much.
He was employed by the Burlington Community School District for 34 years, beginning at James Madison where he taught PE, coached track and football, and during this time, for two years coached sophomore football. Also during his time at James Madison, he was assistant basketball coach at Burlington Jr. College under Lloyd Haberichter when they placed 2nd at nationals. He then taught PE and health at the Burlington High School for 22 years where he was the head boys track coach for 13 years and assistant football coach for 8 years. In 1997 he took early retirement from teaching to focus on his Hackney ponies, developing Heartland Hackney Farm which became the largest Hackney breeding farm in the world. Through the years he received many honors and most recently was inducted into the Kentucky State Fair World Championship Horse Show Hall of Fame.
Survivors include his wife, Sandra, sons; Douglas of Yarmouth and Jay of Katy, Texas; daughter Julie (Stephen) Seils of New London; grandchildren, Shae and Shayla Seils; brother Dean (Yong) Kolkman of Wallis, Texas; sister-in-law Janet Kolkman of Danville; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gary and infant sister Valeen Louise.
The funeral service for Mr. Kolkman will be at 2:00 PM, December 5, 2019 at Calvary Baptist Church, Mt. Pleasant. Pastor Jeff "Duke" Crawford will officiate. Burial will be at Trinity Cemetery, rural Mt. Union. Visitation will begin at noon December 4th at Elliott Chapel, New London with the family present to greet friends from 5 - 7 PM. Memorials have been established for the Missionary Fund at Calvary Baptist Church and Shepherds Home and School for individuals with special needs. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Tributes
"Darrel was my PE teacher at James Madison but his greater impact was while we were colleagues at BHS. I was a long time track assistant to him. He was truly a person of God. His skills in motivating our athletes and PE students were not easily matched. He changed a number of lives and especially those that needed support. He had a knack for getting kids to come out for track and then they normally stayed out throughout HS. His personal skills and his ability to teach and coach at a high level were impressive. RIP to a good friend."
"I had the luck of having Mr. Kolkman at James Madison for 3 years and then the BHS for 3 more. He was my PE teacher and track coach. Best teacher I ever had. He mentored me from age 12 thru 18. I have thought of him often throughout the years. He left a mark on me. God Bless. "
"I was blessed to know this man as my coach and as a friend. No other coach held me to a higher standard than Mr. Kolkman. No other mentor worked harder to help me succeed. The lessons I learned from him in high school have remained with me throughout my entire adult life. I am grateful to know that he is in the presence of our Lord and even though he will be deeply missed by family and friends, we all know that he now stands in an eternal glory with our Lord and Savior Jesus. Thanks Coach! Craig A. Smith BHS 1979."
"Im so sorry to heae of Darrels passing but he is with the Lord, where there is no pain a new body walking the streets of Gold. I pray God Grants you all Comfort at this time"
"We have lost a godly man but heaven has gained. He will be missed. He was so faithful to the Lord and to his family and to the church. We as a church family will truly miss him. Sending prayers and condolences to Sandy and family."
".The hackney world has lost a remarkable icon. The Dutch hackney's would not be where they are right now whitout his knowledge and hackney's. We are very proud to have met him and share his knowledge. Our thoughts are with Sandy and his family. Els and Rob d'Achard van Enschut. The Netherlands"
"We all started at James Madison together with Coach Kolkman. I valued his calm leadership skills and warm kindness. Few know that he would just give my brother the keys to the gym during college Christmas breaks so we could play basketball...those were different times. Bless Darrel?s family."
"Our thoughts and prayers, sorry for your loss George and Mary Christe"
"RIP to a true legend in the hackneys. "
"RIP Coach! I will miss you dearly. I am proud to call you my teacher and my coach,but even prouder to call you my friend. I will always remember the lessons in life I learned from you and all the laughs we shared! You pushed us to do and be our best. I am glad I got a chance to meet some of your family and coach your grandson. You were one of the kindest people I have ever known! Love you Coach K! Paul Newman"
"Darrel was my PE teacher at Horace Mann. He was my cooperating teacher when I student taught at James Madison. Later, we taught together at Madison. I was his assistant coach of track and field. He helped me be a better teacher, coach, and I like to think a better man. My only regret is I never told him."