John W. Kulma

John Kulma, age 77 of Mentor, passed away August 5, 2021 at Enclave of Newell Creek in Mentor. Born April 25, 1944 in Albany, GA to William and Edna (nee: Ronberg) Kulma, he had been a lifelong area resident. After graduating from Harding High School in Fairport Harbor, John married Judith Manninen and joined the Navy. He earned an associate in Electrical Engineer and spent 6 years on sea duty maintaining submarine launched weapons. After leaving the Navy he worked for 10 years as a Patrolman in Eastlake and Mentor while obtaining a BS from Garfield Senior College. He worked for Crescent Metal Products (Crescor) as a Project/Standards Engineer for 14 years. He also earned an MBA from Lake Erie College. In retirement he worked for the Lake County Health District’s Mosquito Control and drove School buses for the Mentor School district. He joined the Coast Guard Reserves where he retired as a Chief Warrant Officer after 31 years of total service. During his time, he earned 18 medals and awards and became qualified in Port Security and Marine Environmental Protection. He was deployed to the Persian Gulf during desert storm, developed a course of instruction, set up and ran a school, and was called to the Ninth District to be a Command Duty Office for the Great lakes Region after 9/11. John loved traveling the world. He cruised often with Judi, who loved the beach. He then traveled all seven continents on his own. John loved reading and was a laymen scholar of religion. Survivors include his children Yvonne Kulma of Painesville and Glenn (Jan) Kulma of North Canton; grandchildren Ella Kulma, Dana (David) Kerr & Leah Kulma; siblings Rev. Jim (Toni) Kulma of Lakewood, Raymond (Mary) Kulma of Fairport Harbor, Rita (Koos) Keizer of Washington and Ruth Grebik of Michigan and brother-in-law Norman (Darlene) Manninen. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife Judi. A funeral service will be at 10am on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021 at Advent Lutheran Church 7985 Munson Road, Mentor, OH 44060 with Rev. Dr. Bishop Laura Barbins officiating. Burial will follow at Mentor Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8pm on Friday at the Potti & Marc F. Burr Funeral Home 1009 Mentor Ave, Painesville, OH 44077 and again from 9am to 10 am at the church on Saturday. Donations are suggested to Advent Lutheran Church or the Lake County Humane Society. Obituary, online condolences and memorial gifts available at www.marcfburrfuneralhome.com .