Kern County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....Kohler , Howard Leslie "Les" June 14, 2005 ********************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/obits/obitsca/obitsca.htm ********************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: K T bluewolf@onemain.com July 3, 2005, 7:46 pm The Bakersfield Californian Kohler, Howard Leslie 1946 - 2005 Howard Leslie Kohler May 1, 1946 - June 14, 2005 Les Kohler was born to Della and Howard Kohler on May 1, 1946 in Lynwood, CA. After spending many summers and holidays hunting and fishing at the family ranch at Lake Isabella, he chose to make the valley his home. He soon met and married his wife Kitty. Their home, in Weldon, was blessed with the birth of their son Howard and daughter Kathy. Wanting to provide more for his family than he could on the ranch, he moved the family to Bakersfield. Les started a business installing lining systems for above-ground oil and gas storage tanks. He traveled around the world for work, and made a comfortable home and life for his wife and children. He enjoyed hunting trips to Alaska, Wyoming, Montana, Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Canada, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Upon the death of his beloved wife, Kitty, Les closed the business and retired. Their children were out on their own, and he decided to hunt full time, and stay home the rest of the time. He was doing quite well until his friend and hunting guides wife called to tell him she had a friend he should meet. His quiet life was over. He married Karol Ann, and her three young children on July 4, 1998, wanting to make it a day easy to remember for an old man. The new family took vacations to the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Oregon, Nebraska, Hawaii, Colorado, and wave-running and jet-skiing at Lake Success. To keep busy and stay home more, Les decided to rebuild a 1952 Willys pickup. This was followed by a 1964 Ford Falcon Sprint, which he built to race at Famoso Drag Strip. There were race events at Inyokern, Arizona, Famoso and Las Vegas that now took up his time. Always there to cheer him on, and serve as pit crew were his wife and children. Les passed away peacefully at home, as he had wished, after suffering a massive stroke in March. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, brothers Terry and Troy, and wife, Kitty. He is survived by his son Howard Kohler, wife Gaylin, and granddaughter Laura of Colorado; his daughter Kathy and husband Ryan Hernandez of San Diego, CA; his sister Karen Rae and nephew John of Long Beach. Sharing in the loss is his step-daughter Anna and husband Jody George of Bakersfield, and step-daughter Sarah and husband Kevin Estrada and their children Dallys and Carson of Arroyo Grande, CA. He also leaves behind his wife Karol Ann, and their three children Tamara, Sacha and Miles. They were lovingly known to him as Butch, Timmy, Famous and Shorty. You were special if you got a nickname from the Boss. To honor his wishes, there were no memorial or graveside services. The family would like to thank all the caring nurses and staff at Memorial, Mercy and San Joaquin Community Hospitals and thank you to Sharon Hicks, RN of Optimal Hospice. Legacy.com Published in the Bakersfield Californian on 7/3/2005. Additional Comments: Volunteer submission - No relation to deceased. http://www.legacy.com/bakersfield/LegacyHome.asp File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/kern/obits/kohler8246gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/caobfiles/ File size: 3.7 Kb