John Robert Kuborn

Retired MSgt John Kuborn, age 81, went home to our Lord on Monday, June 17, 2024, in Schertz, TX. 

He was born on October 11, 1942, in Appleton, Wi, to Dorothy and Wilbur Kuborn.  1961 was a big year for him; he graduated from Appleton High School, married his high school sweetheart, Diana Hack, and enlisted in the United States Air Force.  He proudly served in the Air Force for 20 years.  During his time with the Air Force he achieved the rank of Master Sergent and was stationed at bases in New Mexico, Arizona, Idaho, Vietnam, Thailand, and Turkey.  Following his retirement from the Air Force in 1981, John attended Eastern New Mexico University, graduating with a double master’s degree in Political Science and History.  What made his graduation even more special to him was graduating with his oldest daughter, Debora.  With his degree in history, he went back to the Air Force, this time as a military historian and a civilian.  He was initially assigned to Cannon AFB in New Mexico.  He enjoyed researching and writing military history.  He then transferred to Hickam AFB in Hawaii.  Together with his co-author, he conducted extensive research of both US and Japanese military records and survivor interviews connected to the bombing of Hawaii in 1941.  He completed and presented the finished book, 7 December 1941: The Air Force Story, to President George H. W. Bush during the President’s visit to the Islands on the 50^th anniversary of the attack.  While in Hawaii, he joined the Sounds of Aloha Chorus, a 100 man a cappella group, feeding his love of barbershop music.  He settled in Schertz, TX, serving at Randolph-Brooks AFB until his retirement in 2004.  Although he always missed Hawaii, he became a proud Texan saying, “I wasn’t born in Texas but I got here as soon as I could!”  In retirement, he was active in his church choir, and the United Methodist Men’s group.  He sang with Friends of Harmony, and Hill Country Chorus barbershop choruses when his time and health permitted.  He enjoyed traveling, spending time with family and friends, playing with his granddaughters, Caterina and Gianna, and spending summers in Fence, WI.  John had an amazing ability to make friends anywhere he went.  As a result he was loved and will be missed by more people around the world than one can count.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Dorthy and Wilbur Kuborn, sister Mary (Thompson) Knutson, brother James Kuborn, and niece Dana Kuborn. He is survived by his loving wife, Diana (Hack) Kuborn, daughter Debora (Kuborn) Kelley, son-in-law Mike Kelley, daughter Denise (Kuborn) Colucci, son-in-law Vince Colucci, granddaughter Caterina Colucci, Caterina’s fiancée Dexter Jones, and granddaughter Gianna Colucci.

Services will be held on Friday, June 21, 2024 at Schertz United Methodist Church, 3460 Roy Richard Drive, Schertz, TX 78154.  The viewing will be at 6:00 pm with the funeral following at 7:00pm.  Internment will be in Fence, WI on a date to be determined.

Please send flowers to Schertz Funeral Home and Crematory, 2217 FM 3009 Schertz, TX 78154.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tunnel to Towers and Meals on Wheels