John Joseph Kurtz

John Joseph Kurtz, 76, of Lawrence Kansas passed away on August 31, 2026, at his home.

John was born on December 11, 1949, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of John A. and Marjorie B. (Jeffries) Kurtz. He graduated from Lecompton High School Class of 1967. He worked at Kmart Distribution Center starting in 1975 until he retired in 2009.

Survivors include daughters Jennifer Kent (Brian Girten) and Kendra Blackbourn; five grandchildren: Cameron Kent, Caleb Kent, Colin Kent, Sydney Blackbourn and Trevor Blackbourn; brothers George Kurtz, Michael Kurtz and Tim Kurtz.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters Deborah Reed and Pamela Sue Thomposon.

John was lovingly known as “Uncle John” by many and as his grandpa name “Hacky” by many friends and family as well. His passion has always been motorcycles with too many to count through the years. There were many back-to-back years of traveling to Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and a few very important trips to the Colorado mountains that he loved to talk about. He loved the chance to go out to as many car and motorcycle shows as possible.

There will be no service, but instead a celebration ride in his honor which will be announced separately.