Orville G. Kuran Jr.

Orville was born on May 20th, 1933 in Kansas City, Kansas to Orville G. Kuran, Sr. and Hazel B. Longnickel Kuran. He graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1951 and studied at Kansas State University for 3.5 years; 2 years of pre-veterinarian and 1.5 in Chemical Engineering.

Orville joined the Army in May of 1953 and served in the Korean War earning the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Overseas Bar and Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged in April, 1955. He then served for 8 years in the Army Reserves.

Orville was employed by Colgate Palmolive in Kansas City, Kansas where he was accepted into the Industrial Electrician Apprenticeship. He retired from Colgate’s at age 55. He had served as Union President for the OCAW Oil, Chemical Atomic Workers local 5114.

He married Joan Medlin on May 26th of 1957. When they were married they attended confirmation classes to become members of the Lutheran Church. They were very active members at Grace Lutheran Church in Kansas City, Kansas until they retired. They then moved to La Feria, Texas where they became members of St Paul's Lutheran Church in Harlingen Texas.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 439. He was a devote Lutheran and attended church on a weekly basis no matter where he was in the country with his home church being St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Harlingen Texas.

Orville was preceded in death by his parents, Orville G. Kuran, Sr. and Hazel Kuran as well as his sister Barbara Laing.

Orville is survived by Joan Kay Kuran his wife of 64.5 years of the home; is daughter, Deborah Jo Glenn (Rick) of KCK; daughter, Lori Beth Sampel (John) of KCK; grandsons, Brian Glenn (Sarah), Jack Sampel (Katie), James Sampel, Bryan Sampel (Jessica), Addam Sampel (Jeni); granddaughter, Kathy Conner (Shawn); and 10 great grandchildren.

Orville was a family man most of all and loved his family dearly, he was a great provider and teacher. His hobbies included camping which he spent many years with the Starcher and Coyle families as well as others. He also enjoyed water skiing, swimming in the lake, playing golf and loved to play cards and board games. He and Jan have spent their retirement years as residents of La Feria, Texas where they spent most of their year enjoying the sunshine, going to the beach and to Mexico. They would spend their summers at the lakes in Missouri. Orville and Jan went on numerous trips to Europe, New Zealand, and Australia where they met and made many lifelong friends and also a cruise to Alaska.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Orville's name to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 602 Morgan Blvd., Harlingen, TX 78550.