Kenneth A. Kurtz, 81 yr old native and lifelong resident of Poquoson, VA, passed away on December 5^th at home, a month after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Kenny was born at LAFB, graduated from Poquoson High School in 1958, where he was well known for his athleticism, especially football, and then graduated from NNS Apprentice School where he played baseball. Kenny became well known as “The Barn Man” after establishing Kenny Kurtz Mini-Barns, where he single-handedly customized, built, and delivered quality min-barns.  Kenny was a “jack of all trades” and a master of many to include fixing things, woodworking, refinishing furniture, and building.  Kenny loved taking road trips in the summer to OBX driving his Ford truck on the beach and watching his wife Becky fish, to the mountains in early fall, and he could be found frequently on Saturday mornings driving his wife around to the yard sales.  Kenny and Becky loved spending time together, and he was always finding ways to make her smile.  The time spent with his best friend and side-kick Chubby, attending to Chubby’s farm chopping wood and any other hijinks they could get into. Kenny loved his family and friends to the fullest, which was felt every day in so many ways.  A humble man with a big smile and a bigger personality, who could light up a room wherever he was.  Christmas time was one of his favorites and once his hair and beard turned white, he would smile as the children at the family gathering would ask him each year if he was really Santa. There was something magical about him that night and they loved how he would Ho-Ho-Ho for them with a twinkle in his eye. As adults, those children still tell the story and cherish the memory of those special times. Kenny loved his pranks and jokes too, always in fun and for a big laugh.

Preceded in death by his parents, Major (USAF/Ret) Lester “Jack” and Pauline Topping Kurtz, Kenny is survived by his loving wife Rebecca “Becky” Kurtz; his children, Allen Kurtz (Gail), Lisa Shannon (Val), Anne Burns (Mike), and his stepson, Shawn Matthews; grandchildren Ben Kurtz (Lindsay), Jaime Gomez (Nick), Amy Schmidt (Justin), and great grandchildren Easton and Layton.  He is also survived by his brother, Dick Kurtz (Ruby) and his sister Paula Johnson (Joe), along with many other family and friends including his loving family in the Watsontown area of PA.

Kenny has been reunited with family and friends who have gone before him and without doubt, his faithful dog Duke was waiting for him at the Rainbow Bridge along with Cowboy, Ginger, and Dutchess.  His huge smile, sense of humor, and the love he had for others will be greatly missed beyond words.

On Saturday, December 11^th from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, a Reception for family and friends to celebrate and share memories will be held at Seaford Christian Church, 1709 Seaford Road, Seaford, VA.

In lieu of flowers, monetary donations to the Poquoson Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad would be greatly appreciated as their assistance over the past few years has been a godsend to the family.