Jack Burdette Kurtz

Jack Burdette (J.B.) Kurtz passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 4, 2015 just hours after celebrating his 85th birthday with family and friends, enjoying a glass of wine and playing a few games of double-solitaire with his fiancé and best friend, Judy Harder, at their residence in Stow.

Born in Greentown, Ohio on April 25, 1930, he was the sixth of John Roosevelt and Arline (Kuhn) Kurtz's 12 children. Burdette established a solid work-ethic as a youngster, joining his siblings in the typical home chores of the depression-era and was also employed at several local muck farms.

During his high school career he distinguished himself as an outstanding student-athlete, earning eight varsity letters in baseball, football and track. On the gridiron he was a two-time all-county selection as a quarterback (1946), halfback and punter (averaging more than 50 yards per kick as a senior - 1947). In track and field he was undefeated in the discus in dual meets as a senior. He won both county and district championships as a senior and became Ravenna Township High School's first-ever All-State athlete, by capturing the 1948 OHSAA Class "B" State Championship in his signature event. In the classroom he was a member of the school's scholarship team for four years and was valedictorian of his 1948 graduating class. His athletic achievements were recognized with his induction into the Portage County Sports Hall of Fame (1993) and the Ravenna Ravens Hall of Fame (2001).

Following graduation Burdette worked at the Annevar Worsted Mill and the Davey Tree Expert Company before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1951. He was stationed at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey where he served as a cook. After receiving his Honorable Discharge in 1953 he returned home, worked full time at a service station and enrolled full time in Kent State University's College of Education. He earned his Bachelor's Degree from KSU in 1957 and began a teaching career (which included spending summers "pounding nails" as a carpenter) that included stints at Akron Springfield, Silver Lake, Akron East and Field Local Schools where he taught math and science and retired in 1985. During his teaching career he also served as a basketball coach at Silver Lake and as an assistant track coach at East and Field.

He married Dolores Wood, a registered nurse at Akron City Hospital, from Tallmadge, Ohio, on January 2, 1958. The couple had three children; Jeff, Marty and Carol, and moved to Brimfield in 1965. As the kids grew, Dolores and J.B. were supportive of their activities serving as coaches of baseball and softball teams, adult leaders of youth groups and avid fans of anything the kids were involved in.

J.B. enjoyed hunting, fishing and the outdoors and had a special love of antique furniture, tools, guns and pocket watches. He frequented auctions, garage sales and flea markets always keeping an eye out for a good bargain as his passion was finding treasures in a box that no one else wanted. When he held his own garage sales he sold only the finest "junque" as he called it! He was also an outstanding gardener and was always in demand by neighbors, friends and relatives for any and all construction projects from roofing to remodeling. He joined the Ravenna Masonic Lodge #12 in 1953, and was a former member of the Brimfield Township Zoning Appeals Board, The Brimfield Memorial House Association and the Building Committee of Faith United Methodist Church.

He joyfully celebrated the births of his three grandchildren; Zak, Sierra and Olivia and loved following their activities as well.

Following his retirement and the death of Dolores, he purchased a brick school house in Wooster, Ohio and enjoyed refinishing furniture and other antiques. He returned to Portage County several years later and during the last 10 years he happily "jet-setted" with his best friend, Judy Harder, as they took several cruises and traveled extensively. They socialized with fellow members of their widow and widowers group, dancing, playing cards and dining out regularly.

He loved to play Euchre and was an avid reader (never far from the latest copy of National Geographic) with a thirst for knowledge. He was a math wiz and a great teammate in Trivial Pursuit (Beaufort Scale) and rarely passed up the opportunity to solve the world's problems or passionately discuss his political views over breakfast at East Park at Cotton Corners and more recently in Brimfield Plaza.

Jack, J.B., Burdette will be dearly missed by all those who knew him. We will miss his funny quips, his stories and history lessons, his smile and his presence at family events.

He is survived by his son; Jeff (Loralea Allen) of Brimfield and daughters; Marty (Otto Orf II) Kurtz-Orf and Carol (Col. Robert) Boston of Navarre, FL, grandchildren; 2nd Lt. Zakaria Burdette Boston of Hampton, VA, Sierra Boston of Colorado Springs, CO and Olivia Orf of Rootstown; brothers , Ron (Sara) of Ravenna, Jerry (Karen) of Rootstown and Leonard "Bud" of Indianapolis, IN; sisters, Iris Anderson of Carmel, IN, Yvette Paskey of Kent, Judy (Ed) Clark of Tampa, FL, Karen "Suzie" (Rich) Rabatin of Ravenna; brothers-in-law, Carl Triscori of Ravenna and John Lacy of Arizona and 35 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Dolores (Wood), parents, John Roosevelt and Arline M. (Kuhn) Kurtz, his brother Gene Kurtz and sisters, Ferne Lacy, Virginia Hubbard and Thelma Triscori.

Calling hours will be held from 1-3 and 6-8 PM on Friday, May 15th at Bissler and Sons Funeral Home in Kent. Funeral services and a celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 16th at the Kent VFW Hall.

Private burial will be held at Restland Cemetery in Brimfield. Memorials may be made to the Field Local Schools PTSA Scholarship Fund.