Jacob Kreider Kurtz Jr. died Sept. 24, 2015 at Lancaster General Hospital after a lengthy debilitating illness of Parkinson’s disease, which he fought valiantly. He resided at Luther Acres, Lititz.
Jake was born in Ephrata, the son of Jacob Kreider Kurtz and Edwina Raymor Kurtz. He was the only son, with sisters Elaine Kurtz (Palmgren) and Barbara Kurtz (Hammon).
Jake graduated from Ephrata High School in 1942, where he was active on the football team. He then went on to study at the Pennsylvania State University receiving a degree in civil engineering. During this time he was a World War II veteran serving in the Army Corps of Engineers. He spent time in the Philippines and in Japan re-building roads.
Jake was married to Louise Hemphill Kurtz in 1945 and had a family of four children: Nancy Kurtz Boyd, Deborah Kurtz Apgar, Thomas Eugene Kurtz, and Bonnie Kurtz (deceased at birth). Jake also has seven grandchildren: Jason, Josh, and Ben Apgar, Whitney Parker, Patrick Boyd, and Marshall and Eleanor Kurtz; and 10 great-grandchildren: Parker Jake, Sloane, Kenzie, Violet, Kellen, Ronan, Haley, Tristin, Zoe, and Grayson (deceased).
Jake’s past accomplishments include: past president of Prestressed Concrete Institute, past president of the Young Republican Club that sponsored Miss Evelyn Ay who became Miss America. The Jaycees chaperoned Miss Ay in a cross-country tour in a line of yellow convertibles.
Jake and his cousin, Jack Kurtz, ran the operations of Kurtz Precast that was eventually sold to High Industries. Jake also cared about innovative solutions to low-cost housing and with others built model units in Lancaster City. In all of his achievements Jake never lost sight of what was truly important to him: his family, faith, patriotism, and the land.
A service of remembrance was held at Luther Acres on Sept. 26. He was interred in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, researching Parkinson’s, will be deeply appreciated.
To send an online condolence, visitSnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home and Crematory, Lititz, had charge of the arrangements.
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