Herman Karl Kuhn Jr.

Herman Karl Kuhn Jr., 82, of Shawnee, Oklahoma, passed away on January 18, 2026.

Herman was born on January 29, 1943, to Herman Karl and Edith May (Edgar) Kuhn in San Pedro, California. Herman was lovingly referred to by family and friends as Herm, Junior, or Grizz, and cherished the title of Pop or Poppa.

Herman attended Antioch High School and in 1960, at the strong advice of a Contra Costa County youth judge, he enlisted in the Army National Guard. This path would provide the structure Herman needed as an ornery and stubborn young man. He proudly served in the Heavy Weapons Infantry out of Ft. Ord, California, and was honorably discharged in 1964.

After high school, Herman started his career at the General Motors Automotive Manufacturing plant in Fremont, California, and worked there until it’s closing in 1982. He continued working for GM at the Oklahoma City plant until he retired with 30.3 years as a dedicated union worker and lineman.

In 1964, Herman met Linda Jonell Wise, and they married on January 17, 1964, going on to have two children, Kristal and Larry. She was very quiet and shy, and he was loud and boisterous. They made a very handsome and fun-loving couple. With a young family, Herman served as a reserve deputy for the Alameda County Sheriff's Office and was very active in youth athletics as a coach and umpire, and he served as Little League president. If the family was not at the ball field, they would be camping, fishing, and hunting. Herman and his bride enjoyed participating in Classic car shows and runs to different states in his beloved 1955 Custom Buick. His passion was hunting and he shared many stories from trips to Colorado, Utah, and northern California with his buddies.

After retiring for the first time in 1994, Herm went to Truck Driving School and became a long-haul driver for United Van Lines. He traveled many miles through many different states delivering household items to their intended destination. “In 1999, three days before Christmas, I got a stoke. I was bedridden and could say I am okay, and I am a fighter”. This is how Herman would introduce himself to new friends for the next 26 years. He worked to regain his independence and re-learned to speak, eat, dress, drive, hunt, fish, and live life to the fullest. A true testament to the drive and love of life Herman would display until the very end.

Herman was predeceased by his wife, Linda; parents, Herman and Edith Kuhn; sisters, Herma Humbert and Pamela Arbuckle; and grandson, Chance. He is survived by his children, Kristal Kuhn and partner Mont Huff, and Larry and wife Linda Kuhn; grandchildren: Logan Kuhn, Mason (Cheyenne) Kuhn and Rachelle Crocker; great grandchildren, Whitley and Presley Flores; brother, Daniel Kuhn; sisters, Tina Calvillo and Sandy Garretts; bonus grands and great-grands: Skyler, Savannah, Anistasia and Benjamin, and many nieces and nephews.