John William Kiolbassa

John William Kiolbassa, 80, went to be with the Lord on November 24, 2022.

He was born on April 11, 1942, to Emil and Evelyn Kiolbassa in San Antonio. John graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1960. During his school years, he discovered a love of music and playing music starting with the Baritone Horn. He also was a part of the baseball team. In 1966, John joined the US Army, attending basic training in Fort Polk, LA assigned to Company E, Second Battalion. As a Sergeant, he did a yearlong tour of service in Vietnam and came home to be stationed in El Paso and Fort Hood.

After, his time in the US Army, John moved to Helotes in the early 70’s. He started up his own business in the early 1980’s, Mobil-tec Communication in Helotes. John would meet up every morning at the Helotes Café before work to have coffee and breakfast with his buddies. Upon retirement, he passed the business down to his son, Chris. John and his wife Barbara, retired to the coast due to his love of fishing and they both enjoyed bird watching. John moved to Pipe Creek in 2005 to be closer to family.

John enjoyed doing carpentry work, building model boats, ships, and picture frames. He was willing to try his hand at a little bit of everything. He also continued his love of music by teaching himself to play the guitar and piano. He always enjoyed playing at gatherings or just for his kids in the family’s living room.  

He had an outgoing personality with his never met a stranger attitude and enjoyed talking to everyone. John looked forwarded to mornings spent at OST or other Bandera breakfast spots with all of his friends, they were know as the table of knowledge. They would try to solve the world problems.

The legacy John leaves behind is one of being a loving and supporting father and a true family man. He was always inviting people over to the house and wanted to have all his family and friends surrounding him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and wife, Barbara.

John is survived by his loving children, Amy Maher and husband Duane, Chris Kiolbassa and wife Lori, and Holly Lozano and husband Joel; grandson, Tyler Stricker; brother, Michael Kiolbassa and cousin, Paulette.

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