JAMES DONALD KUEHN, 73, of Houston, Texas, passed away on December 15, 2018, peacefully surrounded by his wife and daughters. James was born in 1945 and grew up the third child of Maggie and Milford Kuehn. He was an inquisitive and feisty boy who loved visiting, music and shenanigans with his two brothers, a sister, and a bevy of neighborhood Houston school children who would become lifelong friends. He was raised in a modest upbringing, one that exemplified family unity, integrity and a hard work ethic. His older sister doted on him and nurtured him, and alongside his older and younger brother, they carved a lifetime of stories and laughter that have been passed down through the generations. He used his quizzical mind to excel academically through school, and his likeable personality helped him achieve accolades in band leadership as a talented flute player in the Waltrip High School band, as well as a social leader on the male and female cheer squad. The comments in his yearbook are a snapshot of how people found him to be driven and kind. After graduating from Waltrip, he would go on to receive a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston. His most fortunate endeavor as a school teacher and popular bus driver would lead him to the halls of Stovall Junior High School where he would meet the love of his life, Alma Lawrence, a lovely and spirited gal from the valley who was just as taken with him as he was with her. Not six months later, they were married on December 26, 1970, at Oaks Christian Church and so began 48 years of sweet memories and legacy. They loved to take long drives and adventures in a Volkswagon Bug, play cards and sing their favorite tunes together. True love built their first home and along came their sweet baby girl, Carol, in 1973, and James loved being a father. He was working hard and moving up in the title company business while simultaneously attending law school at South Texas College of Law. Their second daughter, Alison, was born in 1976, and he went on to earn his law degree and license to practice law from the State Bar of Texas. The family attended Airline United Methodist Church where James sang tenor in the choir and was a lay leader and committee member for decades. James and Alma also sang together in a popular gospel quartet called “The Revelation Quartet,” and their regular laughter and humor shined in their version of a stand-up comedy routine “Who’s on First?” and the later broadcast “Barbara Bologna and Happy Rather.” James rounded out his successful career as a leader in top title companies throughout Houston and opened his own referral-based private law practice, professionally serving his community as a real estate, probate and business lawyer who cared so much for his clients. He forged a reputation of integrity and goodness that he would pass down to his five grandchildren who were the delight of their Poppa’s eye. He immensely enjoyed traveling to favorite locales like San Antonio, Austin and Galveston, Canada, Hawaii, Vegas, Missouri, New Orleans, Florida, California and New Mexico. James was always improving his golf game around town with friends (especially his favorite buddy James Wolk), and most recently got a kick out of taking his grandkids to Top Golf with a beaming smile across his face. He and his wife loved weekly card games, family dinners, and get-togethers with friends over Mexican food and live music. He was an avid reader, king of the remote control and recording devices, dog-lover, trivia buff, sports fan, and an always-intrigued historian. There was never a room he graced where he would not want to stay and visit over black coffee. He was a “people-person” and a master of solving problems. In the same manner in which he taught himself how to play guitar in his youth and share his gift of music, he constantly craved learning and teaching others. And there was never a song he didn’t examine, commit to memory, and take in deeply to his heart, his taste ranging from gospel to country to Broadway to rock 'n' roll. His later years included many regular appearances as a beloved “Poppa” at his grandchildrens’ band concerts, cross-country events, choir festivals, dance and music recitals, award ceremonies, baseball games, soccer games, Tae-Kwon-Do belt tests, birthdays, and graduations. There was never a Poppa so loved in all of the earth. He looked his grandchildren in the eye, hugged them with strength and authority, communicated the secrets of life, reason, Jesus, consideration for others, forgiveness, and the importance of relationship and winning at cards. He died hand-in-hand with his beloved Alma at his side, surely wrapped in the billion memories of sweetness and delight in the fullness of days he was granted by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ whom he loved. His Christian faith and relationship with Jesus was the centerpiece of his home and his heart, always. A member of Champion Forest Baptist Church, his last days were marked by extraordinary pride in and celebration of his whole family: bragging about his grandchildren, recalling how proud he was of his baby brother playing football back in the day, loving on his daughters, catching up over lunch and telephone calls with loved ones, laughing every single day with Alma, and always steering us all ahead to hopefulness.
Predeceased by his parents Maggie and Milford Kuehn, nephew Daniel Cuthbert, great-niece Kimberly Cuthbert, and nephew Wayne Kuehn, Jr. James D. Kuehn is survived by his devoted wife, Alma, daughter Carol Oliver and husband Chad (Austin), daughter Alison Kuehn Spencer (The Woodlands), grandchildren Brandon Oliver, Jessica Oliver, Kelly Spencer, Joe Spencer, James Spencer, son-in-love Jason Spencer (Houston), brother Wayne Kuehn, Sr. and wife Betty (Georgetown), sister Bonnie Cuthbert and husband Rob (Houston), brother Jerry Kuehn and wife Marcella (Houston), beloved cousin Robert Kuehn and wife Pat (Houston), sister-in-law Rolinda Lawrence (Laredo), and brother-in-law G. Timothy Lawrence and wife Mindy (Houston), as well as many other extended family and loved ones, friends, neighbors and colleagues.
Memorial service to celebrate his life and love will be held Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 11:00 AM, Champion Forest Baptist Church, 15555 Stuebner-Airline Road, Houston, Texas 77069.
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