Carl Leopold Clarence Kah Jr.

Carl L.C. Kah, Jr., 94, of North Palm Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully, Friday, May 23, 2025. He was at home with Shirley, his wife of 68 years, by his side. Carl was born on September 22, 1930, at Good Samaritan Hospital. He grew up in El Cid and attended Conniston Middle School and Palm Beach High School.

Carl went on to attend Georgia Institute of Technology where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, played the trumpet in the Georgia Tech Marching Band, and participated in ROTC. After graduation, he joined the US Army and was sent to guided missile school. He was later stationed at White Sands Missile Range where he worked on the Nike Missile Project. He was eventually stationed at Fort Niagara as a Missile Officer where he met Shirley, the daughter of the Deputy Post Commander.

In 1959, pursuing his passion for aerospace engineering, he joined Pratt & Whitney at the Florida Research and Development Center in Palm Beach County. Carl spent 17 years working on projects critical to national defense; rocket engines, jet engines and lasers. He held numerous patents on technology related to these projects.

Carl throughout his life was a prolific inventor; always working to improve products and processes. He filed his first patent on a vacuum cleaner while he was in high school. Having been raised in West Palm Beach he was always interested in automating the underground irrigation system at his home. This interest led to the development of his first irrigation product and the establishment of K-Rain in 1971. Carl continued to innovate throughout his life, filing over 100 patents.

Outside of K-Rain, Carl took great pleasure in supporting business organizations, including, Palm Beach World Trade Organization, Florida Atlantic University, Business Development Board, Economic Council of Palm Beach County, and Rotary Club.

Carl was President of The Florida Irrigation Society. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Irrigation Association and was inducted into the Green Industry Hall of Fame. In 1988 Carl was named Florida Small Business Leader of the Year. The award was presented by Vice President George H.W. Bush in the Rose Garden.

Carl enjoyed working, flying, sailing, model trains, and playing the piano and the trumpet. Carl’s optimism and exuberance for life were evident to everyone he encountered.

Carl is survived by his loving wife, Shirley, his daughters, Gretchen Kah, and Deborah Kah Avis (Rafe de la Gueronniere), and his son, Carl L.C. Kah, III (Susan).

He was a proud grandfather to seven grandchildren: Mayer Marx, Elliott Marx, Warren Avis, III, William Avis, Christopher Kah (Katie), Trevor Kah (Caitlin), and Rebecca Kah.

He was also blessed with four great grandchildren: Piper Kah, Jackson Kah, Lucy Kah, and Harrison Kah.

In lieu flowers donations may be made to St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church.

A service will take place at St Paul of the Cross, 10970 Jack Nicklaus Drive, North Palm Beach, Florida on Friday, May 30th at 10:00 am. Following the Mass a reception will be held in the Parish Center.