Joe Kucharek, 93, Overland Park, Kansas, passed away July 25, 2017. Interment and services are being arranged for Arlington National Cemetery.

Joe was born in Riverside, Kansas, on Feb. 3, 1924, to John and Anna Kucharek. He met and married Natalie Taylor. Joe served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1945 during World War II. He was awarded a Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster for his combat service in Germany and was selected to be part of President Truman’s Honor Guard during the Potsdam Conference. President Truman personally inspected Joe’s rifle during a ceremony at that time. Joe was personally responsible for taking dozens of German soldiers prisoner and by getting them to surrender he saved their lives because in every instance they would have been killed, otherwise. He was very proud of the fact that he saved more lives than he took during the war.

After the war Joe and his wife, Natalie, moved to Denver, Colorado, where he attended barber college and developed his career by establishing his own barber shop which he maintained until his retirement. His main hobbies were fishing and watching sporting events. He also enjoyed taking in the action at the Centennial dog track outside of Denver, which held grey hound races.

After his wife, Natalie, passed away he retired and moved to Overland Park, Kansas, to be with family members. He selflessly helped take care of Natalie’s sister, Nadine Burke, who suffered major health problems. With Joe’s help she was able to maintain living in her own apartment and avoided having to move into a nursing home. They also developed a very loving relationship and were great companions until Nadine passed away in October, 2016.

Joe is survived by several nieces and nephews and their families: Helen Peters, Katherine Emler, JoAnna Vosler, Rhonda Guenther, Valerie Rast, Shirley Shearmire, Gary Puls, Terry Puls, Troy Puls, James Jackson, John Jackson, Gary Lee, and Terry Lee.