On Friday, January 11, 2008, in the presence of family members Lawrence “Boots” Kohl, age 72, was called on by the Lord’s angels at his home in Poplar, MT.
Boots was the youngest of four sons born to Jacob and Genevieve Kohl in Lott, Texas on June 9, 1935.
After attending school, Boots joined the Navy in 1957. He worked as a tin bender on a navel work ship; and was honorably discharged in 1961. In February of 1961 he moved to Montana, calling Poplar his home for the remainder of his life.
On October 5th, 1962, Boots married Catherine T. Smith. Together they raised four children, Cindy, Daniel, David, Karen, and two adopted grandchildren, Kristen, and Scott.
Boots worked in the oilfield when he first arrived in Montana. He then went to work for his brother, John, operating the Conoco Station in Poplar. He eventually purchased the station from John and later turned it over to his son David.
After retiring, Boots worked several odd jobs: track-mobile operator for Columbia Grain, tree planter for the county, night guard for Poplar Schools, and maintenance man for Poplar City Cemetery. He was commended by many for his five years working at the cemetery!
Boots always loved traveling back to Texas to see friends and family there. He also enjoyed taking his beloved dog, Beau, for exercise, going gopher hunting, and taking drives in the country. But his favorite past-time was shooting the breeze with his friends.
Boots is survived by his wife, Catherine, daughters Cindy (Robert) Wilson of Anchorage, Alaska, Karen Bauer of Madison, SD., Kristen (Leeland) Big Leggins, and sons, Daniel (Sheryl) Kohl, David (Suzie) Kohl, and Scott (Mandee) Kohl all of Poplar. He also in survived by 15 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, his two brothers, A. E. “John” Kohl of Missoula, and Gene (Dorothy) Kohl of Lott, Texas, and 21 nieces and nephews.
Boots was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ervin Kohl, his nephew, John Kohl, and his grand-nephew, Cody Kohl.
Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with a vigil service to follow at 7:00p.m. on Monday, January 14, 2008 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar. His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 15, 2007 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar. Internment with military honors will follow at Poplar City Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.