Raymond “Rusty” Greely Kolts was born on June 20, 1940, to Donald and Shirley Kolts in Los Angeles, California. He passed away peacefully at his winter home in Tucson, Arizona on January 28, 2022.
Ray was the beloved husband of wife Kathlene; proud father to son Kenneth and daughter Debra, grandfather to Kari, Kayla, Shianne and Brian Kolts; and recently welcomed great-granddaughter Ezra Kolts.
Ray was the youngest sibling to sisters Patricia Ganje and Nancy Rogers, both of whom continue to reside in California.
Ray was an accomplished attorney in Los Angeles for many years, establishing his own law firms and litigating more than 100 jury trials, of which the majority resulted in successful outcomes for his many loyal clients.
In 1999, Ray and attorney wife Kathlene moved to Hayden, Idaho. After a short period of “retirement” both Ray and Kathy took the Idaho Bar examination. Thereafter, they teamed up with another local attorney couple and practiced law in Coeur d’Alene together for eight years.
Ray was a Master Mason, with his main affiliation at the Elysian Lodge in Los Angeles, where he received his degrees in 1961 and was elected Master in 1985. He remained a member until his death. He received the Hiram award for exceptional service to his lodge. Ray’s affiliation and love for Masonry started in 1954 in the Order of De Molay.
Ray is remembered for being a scholar, with endless curiosity about everything, a kind man who always exhibited the best in manners, a true friend, a man who loved to travel and read — and most of all to laugh and have fun. He never stopped believing in the goodness of others and he always treated his fellow man with dignity and respect. He was optimistic until the end. He can never be replaced or replicated. He was truly “one of a kind.” He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
There will be a memorial service honoring Ray’s life at Big Bear Lake, where young “Rusty” spent many happy summers — to be determined at a date in the spring.
