SGM George H. Kuchen, Jr. Obituary (1936 - 2021)

SGM George H. Kuchen, Jr., passed away on May 30, 2021 after a long illness. George was a true professional soldier, respected by his peers and comrades. He loved life and the soldiers whom he had the privilege to serve with. Though he embodied the true characteristics of the military professional, he will also be remembered for his wide smile and quiet spirit. George was born on November 28, 1936 in Newark, New Jersey to the late George and Amelia Kuchen. He remained in New Jersey until he was 18, then entered the Air Force in June 1955. Soon after he married his high school sweetheart, Frances "Jayne" Kuchen and they moved to Great Falls, Montana. After serving in the Air Force for four years, George enlisted in the Army in August 1959 and remained until his retirement in 1981. SGM Kuchen volunteered for Special Forces training in 1963 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He served two tours in Vietnam, one with 5th Special Forces and one with MAC-V, and a tour in Thailand with the 46th Special Forces Company. He spent many years with 10th Special Forces at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. His military awards include Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Combat Medical Badge. While in the military, George received a business degree from Campbell University, and later he received his MBA from Lesley College in Boston. In 1985, he began his second career with the Department of Defense at Fort Devens. His tenure there included his position of the Installation Security Officer. When Fort Devens closed, he was transferred to Fort Bragg and worked for Directorate of Training and Doctrine at the USAJFK Special Warfare Center until he retired in 2002. Over the years and into retirement, George became an avid collector of, not only his own military awards and decorations, but other pieces of military memorabilia. He was greatly involved with the Special Forces Association at Fort Devens and Fort Bragg. George was a long-time member of the Pine Valley Community Watch and held many positions throughout the years. He truly cared about the neighborhood and volunteered in many ways to foster camaraderie among his neighbors. George was a devoted "Papa" who loved spending time with his grandkids. SGM Kuchen is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Jayne; three children, Thomas Kuchen (Sharon), Karenann Gabello (Bill), Celeste McGarry (Ken); brother, Richard Kuchen; and sister, Nancy Evans; twelve grandchildren, Leighann (David), Britt, Shelby (Sawyer), Paige, Matthew, Claudia, Veronica, Keegan, Casey, Jack, Daniel and Kathleen; and one great-granddaughter, Lillianna. There will be a funeral service honoring SGM Kuchen on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 2:00pm at Adcock Funeral Home, 2226 Lillington Highway, Spring Lake. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:00pm until 2:00pm. Burial, with military honors, will immediately follow the service at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, Fort Bragg. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in the name of George Kuchen to SFA Chapter 1-18, PO Box 118, Fayetteville, NC 28302. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.adcockfuneralandcrematory.com. Services entrusted to Adcock Funeral Home and Crematory, Spring Lake.