Jerry Kuhaida, 74

Dr. Andrew “Jerry” Jerome Kuhaida Jr., 74, of Oak Ridge, TN, passed away at home on December 26, 2016 after a hard fought battle with Parkinson’s disease and Lewy Body Dementia.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 49 years, Delores Kuhaida; sister Carol Sue Drummond and husband Clyde of Clinton; son Steven Kuhaida and wife Marina of San Antonio, TX, daughter Carrie Kuhaida Sessions of Kingston, son Kevin Kuhaida of Oak Ridge; grandson Roman Kuhaida of San Antonio, granddaughters Kylie and Kimber Kuhaida of Oak Ridge; and several loving nieces and nephews. 

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents Andrew Jerome Kuhaida Sr. and Wilma Pauline Liller; and by his sister, Mary Kathryn Lowery.

Jerry was born on September 29, 1942 in Wheeling, WV.  He graduated from Lawrence High School in Falmouth, MA in 1960.  He then proceeded on to earn a B.S. in Geography from East Tennessee State University in 1967, a M.A. in Geography also from ETSU in 1971, and a Ph.D. in Geography/Geology from the University of Denver in 1980.  Jerry returned to Oak Ridge in 1980 and began his lengthy career in Environmental Restoration and Hazardous Waste Remediation.  He also served on various local boards and committees including the Environmental Quality Advisory Board and the Scarboro Community Day Care Center Board.  Wishing to serve his community further, Jerry ran for and was elected to the Oak Ridge City Council twice, 1991-1995 and 1997-2003.  He served one term as Mayor of Oak Ridge.  Jerry continued his passion for community and local government development while serving as a consultant in Russia and working with USAID/US State Department assisting the US Army’s development efforts in Iraq.

Jerry was many things to many people:  Son, brother, athlete, explorer, husband, father, uncle, student, photographer, teacher, scientist, coach, outdoorsman, mentor, conservationist, community leader, world traveler, ambassador, humanitarian, writer, father-in-law, grandfather…. and friend.

A special thanks to the practitioners and staff of the Cole Neuroscience Center at the UT Medical Center for their diagnosis and patient care, UT Hospice for their compassionate care, the Oak Ridge Fire Department for all of their assistance, and Jackson Funeral Services for the arrangements.

A Celebration of Life with Dr. Randy Hammer officiating is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at the United Church, Chapel on the Hill in Oak Ridge.  A reception/receiving of friends will be held in the Fellowship Hall afterwards at 2:30 p.m.  All are welcome to attend and celebrate Jerry’s life.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Cole Neuroscience Center at the UT Medical Center online or by mail, Attn:  Development Office, 2121 Medical Center Way, Suite 100, Knoxville, TN 37920.

Online condolences can be made at jacksonfuneralservices.com

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