Jacob Kreider Kurtz Jr.

September 24, 2015

Jacob Kreider Kurtz Jr. died on September 24th, 2015 at Lancaster General Hospital after a lengthy debilitating illness of Parkinson’s disease which he fought valiantly. Jake was born in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, 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 Penn State University receiving a degree in Civil Engineering. During this time he was a World War II veteran serving in the Army Corp 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 family of 4 children: Nancy Kurtz Boyd, Deborah Kurtz Apgar, Thomas Eugene Kurtz, and Bonnie Kurtz (deceased at birth). Jake also has 7 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 Ms. Evelyn Ay who became Miss America. The Jaycees chaperoned Ms. 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. There will be a Service of Remembrance at Luther Acres Retirement Community in Lititz beginning at 11 AM on Saturday, September 26, 2015 followed by a light lunch. Interment will take place at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery on Monday, September 28th at 10AM. In lieu of flowers donations to the Michael J Fox Foundation researching Parkinson’s will be deeply appreciated.