Wesley "Wes" John Kuhn

Rev. Wesley “Wes” John Kuhn passed away suddenly after a brief illness on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at the age of 91, in Fort Worth, Texas. Wes was born June 24, 1921 in St. Paul, MN, graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO and was ordained in January 1945 in St. Paul, MN. He married Edith Lossin on January 20, 1945 in Chicago, IL. He had a lifelong commitment to his calling as a Lutheran Pastor serving Our Savior, El Dorado, AR from 1945-1951, Army Chaplain, Korea, from 1951-1952, Army Chaplain from 1947-1981, retiring as Full Bird Colonel, Zion Lutheran, Fort Worth, TX from 1952-1961, St. Matthew, Rochester, NY from 1961-1967 and Executive Director of Missions, Eastern District, Buffalo, NY from 1967-1977. He was installed as Pastor of The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in August, 1977 and retired as Pastor Emeritus at Good Shepherd in August, 1986. He served as Pastor, Pastor Emeritus and in a multitude of other positions for over 30 years (1977-2008). In 1977, Pastor Kuhn was awarded the Bronze St. Martin of Tours Award from the Board of Mission Services “in recognition of and in gratitude to God for twenty years of distinguished service as a Army Chaplain. He is not only remembered and loved for his kind and calm demeanor, but also his steadiness in his ministry and for his extensive mission work in the Biloxi community and the district. He served many years as Hospital Chaplain at Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS, VA Chaplain at the Veteran’s Hospital in Biloxi, MS and Gulfport, MS. Wes served as a Lutheran Braille worker for many years and was a longtime member of OWLs (Older and Wiser Lutherans). He served on the Board of IHN (Interfaith Hospitality Network) and was instrumental in rebuilding Good Shepherd after the building was struck by fire in 1980, only two years after being installed at the Church. He guided much of the initial recovery efforts at Good Shepherd after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in 2005. Pastor Kuhn also served at the mission congregation – Galilean Lutheran Church in D’Iberville, MS started numerous longstanding bible studies and educational programs. Even after his retirement, he continued to serve our church and district through his membership on the Board of Directors for the LCEF (Lutheran Church Extension Fund) in New Orleans and Metairie, LA. During the last few years of his retired service, he continued serving and supporting Good Shepherd as a Circuit Counselor. Wes is preceded in death by his wife, Edith E. “Dee” Kuhn in 2010 after 65 years of marriage. Survivors include his daughters, Kathryn (DeForrest) Tiffany, Deborah (John) Stewart and Julie (Drew); his sons, David (Pamela) Kuhn and Dr. Thomas (Mary) Kuhn; eleven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made to the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd Endowment Fund, 2004 Pass Road, Biloxi, MS 39531. A Memorial Service will be held at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 2004 Pass Road, Biloxi, MS 39531, (228)388-5767 on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Karl Hollibaugh, interim Pastor at Good Shepherd, will be the officiant, Pastor Adam Cooper, a good friend and Pastor Emeritus of St. Matthew Lutheran in Gulfport, MS will be preaching the sermon. A Graveside Service with Full Military Honors will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. After the service, a light lunch will be served and memories of Wes will be displayed and presented in the Fellowship Hall at Good Shepherd. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home in Biloxi is in charge of arrangements.