Stephen Edward Kohl passed away on January 3, 2023, with family and friends by his side, and a double rainbow passing through a broken, cloudy sky.
If you knew him, you loved him. Steve was a bright, vibrant light to all around him. Full of color, full of mirth, full of passion, full of life. Although confined to a wheelchair all his days, Steve never let those challenges impact his outlook. He faced every trial head on and with no regrets.
Fiercely loyal. A man of his word. Honest, trustworthy, and reliable. And a person who loved those around him intensely.
Although Steve never physically walked upon this earth, he left deep and lasting footprints for all to follow as a guide on how to live life to the fullest. When others said he could not, he did. Tell him he would not, he would.
Steve was a hero to many, and an inspiration to all.
And, boy, was he fun. Fun to talk to and fun to be with. Blessed with a wonderfully quick wit, a gloriously dry deadpan delivery, a mischievous smile, glint in his eye, and an uncanny ability to put you at ease, Steve would leave you with a warm feeling in your heart, a smile on your face, and, always, a great joke or story to tell.
Steve loved being around people. This was often sharing Titans, Predators, Nashville SC, or Belmont games; travel to Vegas, Cubs games, or to bet on the horses; sitting and listening to live music; or swapping stories over some “whiskey flavored whiskey.” Steve was incredibly smart and curious, and the anticipation for the ending to a big game, the ovation for the encore, or the reveal of a well-told story always brought a smile to his face.
Steve loved his family and friends the most. And those that called him friend were many, and they were blessed to have Steve in their lives. If friendships are truly a measure of a man’s worth, then Steve was indeed a rich man.
Steve was born in Nashville on September 8, 1967. He was one of four children born to Helen “Bunny” Holzapfel and John B. Kohl III.
Steve attended Saint Henry School and graduated from Father Ryan High School in 1985. He received his bachelor’s degree in Management and Marketing from Belmont University in 1997 and his M.B.A. from Belmont University-Jack C. Massey College of Business in 2004. He received his Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation in 2016. He worked for more than 14 years for Cummins Inc. and retired in 2019.
Steve is survived by his mother, Helen “Bunny” Holzapfel Kohl; his sisters, Mary Dorothy (Steve, deceased) Smith and Karen Kohl; and his two nieces and nephew: Emily, Ellen, and Christopher Smith.
Steve was preceded in death by his father, John Bernard Kohl III; his brother, John Everett Kohl; and his nephew, Stephen Kohl Smith.
Throughout his life, Steve treasured his family, including all of his Kohl and Holzapfel aunts and uncles: Kay, deceased (Randall) Wyatt, Angela (Billy, deceased) Drennan, Jim (Liz) Kohl of Knoxville, and Margaret Rose (Tommy, deceased) Allen; Merrill (Ray) Hare, Paula (Bob, deceased) Long, Everett (Mary Claire) Holzapfel, Pat, deceased (Jerry) Strobel, Carole (James) Donnelly, Theresa (Jack) Hughes, Dorothy (Dick) Sollee, Rita (Pat) Thompson, Morgan (Sally) Holzapfel, Cathy (Joe, deceased) Caldwell, Steve (Sue) Holzapfel, Susie (Terry) Rowland, Barbara (Bill, deceased) Hobbs, and John (Lisa) Holzapfel.
Visitation will be from 5 pm to 7 pm (Rosary at 7 pm) on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at St. Henry’s Catholic Church, 6401 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN, 37205. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 am on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at St. Henry’s Catholic Church.
Honorary pallbearers are Steve’s cousins.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Down Syndrome Association of Middle TN, Room In The Inn, or a charity of your choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.marshalldonnellycombs.com for the Kohl family.
For more obituaries visit https://davidsoncountysource.com/obituaries/
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