Thomas Eugene Kurz

Thomas E. (Tom) Kurz

Thomas E. Kurz, 68, of Owensboro, died July 31, 2013, at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital after a short battle with cancer. He was born December 25, 1944, in Owensboro to the late August F. (Fred) and Goldie Whelan Kurz. He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and was involved in the music ministry for 44 years as cantor and choir member. He graduated from Owensboro Catholic High School and received his BA degree from Brescia University and Masters in Education from Western Kentucky University. He was a dedicated teacher at Owensboro High School for 28 years, retiring in 1995.

Tom was Chairman of the Social Studies Department for many years at Owensboro High School and as an American Government teacher, helped many students register to vote and fill out their taxes. For 25 years he served as Student Council advisor and in 1976 his Student Council sponsored Magazine Drive raised over $27,000 and set a state record for highest sales in Kentucky schools. In 1988 Tom's Student Council hosted the 43rd annual Kentucky Association of Student Councils State Student Council Convention. Tom loved his students and gave liberally of his time in chaperoning numerous dances and trips to Frankfort to see firsthand their state government at work. Upon his retirement from Owensboro High School, the Thomas E. Kurz American Government Award was established to honor each year the student who exhibited the qualities of good citizenship.

He was an avid sports fan of Owensboro High School and enjoyed keeping the time clock for basketball games and occasionally singing the National Anthem before the game. He was a dedicated husband and father, treasuring his time with family and friends. He enjoyed playing golf, fishing and traveling. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers - Joe, John and Frank Kurz.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann Johnson Kurz; children, Kevin (Debbie Davis) Kurz of Hawesville, Stephanie (David) Abrams and Mark (Amy Jones) Kurz all of Owensboro; grandchildren, Megan Kurz, Justin Kurz, Brianna Abrams, Drew Kurz, and Deeken Kurz; step-grandson, Logan Abrams; brother, Jim Kurz of Owensboro; sisters, Janet Fullerton of Ocala, FL, Shirley Hagman of Hawesville, Betsy Kamuf of Louisville, Rose Rousoff of Corvallis, MT and Judy Kurz of Fishers, IN.

Services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory where prayers will be said at_7:00_ p.m., and after 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at Our Lady of Lourdes.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Our Lady of Lourdes Building Fund, c/o Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 4029 Frederica St., Owensboro, KY 42303.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.glennfuneralhome.com