Edwin “Ed” Ray Kautz, 88, a longtime Cushing, Oklahoma resident, passed away on January 24, 2015 in Cushing. Funeral services were held Tuesday January 27, 2015 2:00 p.m., at the Palmer Marler Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Euchee Valley Memorial Park in Cushing. Services are under the direction of Palmer Marler Funeral Home in Cushing.
Ed was born on June 3, 1926 in Stillwater, Oklahoma to the late Karl and Bernice (Ferguson) Kautz. He grew up and attended school in Cushing. Ed joined the U.S. Army in 1946 and served in WWII.
Ed met the love of his life, Maxine (Anderson), and after knowing each other for less than a month; they married on November 8, 1947. The couple remained married for 62 years. They made their home in Cushing for the remainder of their life.
Ed worked as an operator and lab technician for the Hudson refinery in Cushing for almost 30 years. He was one of the final employees that remained at the refinery until it was shut down. After Hudson closed its doors, Ed began working for the City of Cushing as a supervisor for the wastewater treatment plant. Ed was also a volunteer firefighter for over 20 years.
Ed and Maxine were avid square dancers for many years. The couple also loved to travel and spent their summer months living in their RV in the mountains of Colorado. He loved spending time in his workshop and could often be found making a modification to a vehicle, working on home improvements, or completing a honeydew list.
One of Ed’s greatest qualities was his wiliness to pass along his vast knowledge of life. He spent a great deal of time training his grandsons on the importance of “doing a job right the first time.” His beliefs and skills have been passed down through the generations, and will remain as a family value.
Ed is survived by; his daughter Donna Beene and husband Don of Cushing; grandchildren Michael Starks, Jr. and wife Annette of Cushing, Toni Vieyra and husband Paul of Cushing, and Teri Niccum of Tryon; great grandchildren Brody Starks, Bryce Starks, Brayden Vieyra, Natalie Vieyra, Brenden Odle, and Landen Odle.
His parents; wife, Maxine of 62 years; and one sister, Karlene Butler (Kautz), preceded Ed in death.
Condolences and online guest book are available at www.palmermarlerfh.com.
