Glenn N. “Jiggs” Dolar

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Glenn N. Dolar, known to the Kemmerer community as “Jiggs,” passed away on Monday, July 29, in Gilbert, Arizona. Glenn was born in Kemmerer on April 3, 1935, to George and Dagmar Dolar. He was an 83-year resident of Kemmerer but moved last year due to health issues. 

Glenn grew up in the post-depression era and volunteered for the Army in 1954 due to the lack of work available to draft-aged men. He married his high school sweetheart, Shirley May Kolata, on May 2, 1954, at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kemmerer. In a recent interview, Glenn was asked what he would like to be remembered for, and he responded with a smile on his face, “Being married to Shirley May, the only woman I loved.” Shirley passed away nearly two years ago after 63 years of marriage.  

After their wedding vows, the couple were off to Lawton, Oklahoma, where Glenn spent the next two years in the service. Glenn loved and respected the armed services and was proud to serve as a gunnery machinist on a 155 Howitzer cannon.  

Glenn and Shirley’s first son, Jerry (Linda) Dolar, was born in Lawton, and in 1956, they moved home to raise their family. Daughter Glenna (Mark) Steiner arrived soon after, followed by Mark (Janet) Dolar and Paula (Steve) Garcia. 

As his family grew, Glenn worked several, jobs ranging from helping on a ranch, working as a local gas station hand and working on the railroad line. Glenn always liked to tell the story that when El Paso Natural Gas began construction of its gas plant near Opal, he found out where the boss lived and he went to his house after hours, knocked on the door and asked for a job. He was hired the next day and spent 31 years with the company.

In 1976, a tragic accident occurred at the plant and Glenn received burns over 65 percent of his body. He was air-lifted to the University of Utah Hospital and spent five months in the intensive care unit.He underwent 27 skin graph operations but returned back to work in 1978. He stayed with the company until retiring. 

Despite this tragedy, Glenn’s faith in Christ sustained the darker days and he remained upbeat about what life offered. He was a faithful member of St Paul’s Lutheran Church.

When possible, Glenn and Shirley spent their days traveling to all the big events in their children’s and grandchildren’s lives.

In addition to his children, Glenn is survived by grandchildren, Kimberly (Dominque) Lebel, Heidi (Will) Danen, T.C. (Johnna) Garcia, Scott (Jackie) Dolar, Jennifer (Chess) Johnson, Ashley Steiner, Seth Dolar, Josh Dolar, and Laura Dolar; a sister, Ronda Teare; a brother, Keith Dolar; as well as six great-grandchildren. 

Glenn loved to go for rides, go for walks, do woodworking and landscape his backyard. And he loved being a resident of Kemmerer. 

The family would like to thank Pastor Jonathan Lange for his care for our parents throughout their lives and for all our family members and friends who came to assist as Glenn and Shirley grew older. We also would like to extend our thanks to the staff of Quail Park at Morrison Ranch Senior Living for their kindness during the last months of our dad’s life.  May God bless and keep you all. 

Services will be held at noon on Thursday, Aug. 8, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kemmerer.