James Edward Kurkowski

Born: Saturday, January 8, 1949

Died: Saturday, March 16, 2013

Jim Kurkowski, age 64, born in rural Downey, California, entered the presence of his Lord on Saturday, March 16, 2013, at his home in Cypress. He was born in Downey Community Hospital on Saturday morning, January 8, 1949, the son of Esther and Gerald Kurkowski. He attended Good Shepherd Lutheran School, South Junior High, and Downey High School, graduating in 1967. It was in his Downey public school days that he met his future wife, Maureen Herrmann, in history class. They dated throughout high school, and, with their parents’ permission, were married June 28, 1968, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Eight months later Jim was drafted into the United States Army. He was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington before deployment to Vietnam. He sustained multiple metal fragment wounds, seriously injuring him, resulting in a lengthy hospitalization from June 1970 until his honorable discharge in October 1970. He remained forever thankful to God for his healing which he attributed to people praying for him back home.

Jim’s career path took him into gardening and landscape. He attended Mt. San Antonio College, receiving an Associate of Science degree in landscape design. He always struggled with the Latin names for plant material, but never forgot his favorites, like Albizia julibrissin and Washingtonia robusta. Years into his career, and by this time he was parks supervisor, he discovered he was dyslexic. Jim spent two years with a dyslexia specialist receiving tutoring especially designed to equip him to be a better reader and speller. Because of his own difficulties with reading and spelling, Jim became an active volunteer with Bethany Lutheran School Student Success Program.

Jim’s career allowed him the opportunity to work for the cities of Los Angeles, Anaheim, Glendale, and finally Whittier, where he retired as director of parks in July 2010. Jim remained in contact with many of his fellow co-workers over the years, occasionally making time to meet for breakfast or lunch just because he was that kind of man.

After retirement, Jim served on the grounds committee for his community of Tanglewood North in Cypress and maintenance gardener caretaker of Friendship Square at Bethany Lutheran Church. He was also a very enthusiastic fan of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He applied for the position of usher and began working there in 2011 and returned for what would be his final season in 2012.

Survivors include Jim’s wife of 45 years, Maureen; daughters Mrs. Jason Smith (Kelly) of Arrowbear, CA, and Mrs. Trent Nelson (Holly) of Binghamton, NY; grandchildren Haylee Smith, Loren Smith, Russell Nelson, and Melanie Nelson; sister Mrs. Joann Davis of Temecula, CA, and sister-in-law Mrs. Karen Kurkowski of Anaheim, CA; and his many nieces and nephews. He loved his family with a huge heart.

Jim’s legacy to family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers would be: 1) love the Lord Jesus with all of your heart, mind and soul; 2) husbands – take care of your wives and children by providing for them now and after you’re gone; and finally, 3) SEE YOU IN HEAVEN!

Luyben Family Dilday-Mottell Mortuary (562) 425-6401 www.luybenfamilyd-m.com