Jerry Ralph Kutz, 91, of Lehigh Acres, died Feb. 26, 2012, in Fort Myers. He was born June 22, 1920, and grew up in a large family in Olney, Ill.; and was a star on the high school basketball team in the 1930s. Twenty-five years later, while in the Air Force, he got to play the Harlem Globetrotters when they made a tour of military bases; with his wife and kids cheering him on.
He served in World War II in North Africa and Italy while in the Army-Air Corp. After the war, he reenlisted in the Air Force. While stationed at MacDill AFB in 1951, he met and married his wife of 51 years, Connie, who died in 2002. He loved the military life, and it enabled him and his family to see the world. He retired as a Master-Sergeant in 1964, and moved to Lehigh Acres where he lived the rest of his life. He continued to work hard to support his wife and five children; and we never worried he wouldn't be there for us. Above all, he loved his family.
His hobbies were bowling, fishing and the Florida Gators. He bowled several times a week until a couple of years ago, when he became physically unable; but that didn't stop him from still going to Bowland to visit his friends and watch them bowl.
Pop is survived by his five "Knotheads," Victor (Debbie) Kutz of Lehigh Acres, with whom he lived until the end of his life; Debbie (Jim) Moody of Fort Myers Beach; Pat Kutz of Gainesville, Fla.; Gene (Janet) Kutz of Morristown, Tenn.; and Stan (Sheryl) Kutz of Gainesville, Fla.; four grandchildren, Victor (Vanessa) Kutz Jr., Lucy (James) Shuford, Jaime Kut, and Joey(Heather) Davis; and his 2-year-old great granddaughter, Pop's "Punkin," Aubrey Jade Shuford, who spent her days at his home and kept him "young." He's also survived by his "baby" brother, Olie Kutz of Decatur, Ill.
We all love you, Pop.
Published in The News Press, Fla - March 11, 2012
