Obituary for Donald P. Kurtz

On Wednesday night, August 18, 2021, Donald Paul Kurtz went home to be with the Lord in Heaven. He was born May 6, 1944, in Wadsworth, Ohio, to Pauline and Kenneth Kurtz. He is survived by his oldest brother Dave (and Karen) of Muskegon, Mi;

also by his younger siblings Tom (and Lynn) Kurtz of Brimley, Mi., and Becky (and Dave) Delaney of Twin Lake, Mi.

Don was married 53 years to the love of his life, Jay Kurtz. Along with Jay, surviving immediate family members include Malisa Kurtz, New Smyrna Beach, Fl., Dora Kurtz, Orlando, Fl., Joseph Padgitt, Kansas City, Mo., Donald Kurtz, Ormond Beach, Fl., and Victor and Andrew Calvillo, New Smyrna Beach, Fl.

He graduated Ravenna H.S., Mi., in the early 60's. He attended a couple of years of college, and served in the air force from 1968-1972. He was a Vietnam veteran.

Don met Jay while in Bangkok, Thailand. She was working in a coffee shop.

He saw her and said, "woohoo!" She saw him and thought the same thing. It was love at first sight! They married in Jay's hometown of Thung Saliam. They eventually moved to the U.S. and settled in Muskegon, Mi. Their first daughter, Malisa, was born in Mi. Don had a good friend who got him a good job with Centel, (now, Sprint) in Illinois, which is where their next daughter, Dora was born. Don was always loyal and faithful and it was true of his vocation as well. He stayed with this company throughout transfer to Kansas City, and until retirement.

After retirement, Jay and Don traveled a lot. They traveled to Thailand often. Don always felt it was his real home. After Malisa had their first grandchild, (Joseph), Don and Jay began considering settling in Florida and eventually landed in New Smyrna Beach, where they would be devoted grandparents to four grandchildren.

Don loved to play golf, fish, and garage sales!

Don also served on a medical mission trip to Kenya, Africa, and was the most laid back mission team member anyone ever met. He was a long-time and greatly beloved member of Cross Creek Community Church, of New Smyrna Beach. Don was an exceptional and exemplary man who loved and lived for others and especially cared for the homeless and those in need. He felt called to homeless ministry and was affectionately called "Pastor Don" by the many to whom he gave so much.

His memorial service will be Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at 10:00 AM in Lohman Funeral Home Port Orange, Fl.

We hope everyone will join us in living out Don's rich legacy of never judging and always loving.