Dwayne Joseph Kolly

Dwayne Joseph Kolly, 73, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2026, with his three daughters at his side. We are grateful to the ICU doctors, nurses, and medical professionals at Methodist Metropolitan Hospital for their dignified care. Dwayne faced a 10-year battle with chronic lymphocytic leukemia with quiet strength and steadfast gratitude for life. Dwayne was born on October 7, 1952, in Odessa, Texas, to Josephine (Kempf) Kolly and Emerick Paul (Kolodziejczyk) Kolly. Deeply rooted in Texas, he grew up in Odessa, Brownwood, Houston, and Abilene, and later lived in Cuernavaca, Mexico, Amarillo, San Antonio, Uvalde, Laredo, and Austin, before ultimately returning to San Antonio. Dwayne's path was varied and unconventional, and it led to a successful career in community banking-culminating in his service as CEO of Texas Bank of Business. He began his adult working life as a baker in Cuernavaca after marrying our mother, Emma Torres, with whom he shared 48 years of marriage. During their years in Mexico, he developed fluency in the Spanish language and a deep appreciation for Mexican culture. After returning to the United States, he worked as a fabric cutter for Eileen's and Levi Strauss, tried his hand at real estate and insurance sales, and often took on evening office-cleaning work to support his family. He was widely respected for his integrity, thoughtfulness, and commitment to doing what was right for his family, friends, colleagues, employees, and community. And he did that in a very "Dad" way--quietly. No speeches. No performance. Just decisions made carefully. People treated fairly. Promises kept. Quiet by nature, Dwayne found joy in steady pursuits: fixing and rehabbing just about anything, gardening, and playing guitar. He taught himself music early on-starting with Simon & Garfunkel-and later explored conjunto, zydeco, and bossa nova. He also wrote his own songs, which his family will cherish always. He had an encyclopedic memory and a deeply contemplative mind. His pursuit of learning never ended, despite never graduating from high school. He loved his family and friends with ease and constancy, and his greatest joy was time with his grandchildren-listening to them, encouraging them, and, of course, teaching them to fish. To his daughters, he gave the rare gift of meeting each of us exactly where we were, without judgment offering wisdom, patience, and unwavering love. He also had a wicked sense of humor and a love of puns, and his memory will keep us smiling for a lifetime. It must be said that he loved the Marx Brothers-Groucho's word play in particular. He enjoyed the famous line, "Whatever it is, I'm against it." Dad enjoyed the wit, but I think he also liked the reminder underneath it: don't follow the crowd automatically. Think for yourself. Do what's right, even when it's quieter, even when it's harder. Dwayne was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Emma Torres de Kolly; his parents, Josephine and E.P. Kolly; and his brother, Don Kolodziejczyk. He is survived by his siblings Loretta Prokop, Marilyn Warren, and Judy Raven; his daughters Faye M. Kolly, Martha (Kolly) Mosinski, and Kathryn Hope Kolly; and his grandchildren Julio, Phoenix, Esme, and Michael. He deeply loved his nephew James Steele and niece Alison Steele, and he was cherished by family in Mexico. We are grateful for the love and support of his goddaughter Kimberly Contreras and the Contreras family (aka "Los Compadres"). In the past two years, Dwayne also found a second turn in a loving relationship with Elvia "Vita" Rios Calderon, with whom he shared many tender moments and adventures. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Eloise Woods Natural Burial Park, 115 Northside Ln, Cedar Creek, TX 78612. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mobile Loaves and Fishes in honor of Dwayne Kolly: https://give.mlf.org/give/757120/#!/donation/checkout Dwayne's life remains an enduring example of quiet integrity, humor, love, and thoughtful contemplation. Our lives and the world are better because he was in them.

Dwayne Joseph Kolly

October 7, 1952 - January 3, 2026