It is with great sadness that I post this today to tell you that USS Indianapolis Survivor Mike Kuryla passed away this morning. In his final hours, he was surrounded with love by his family and friends and went peacefully into God's arms around 4:30am.
As soon as the family has final details on his services, I will let everyone know. Please keep them all in your thoughts and prayers.
ww2kim said
Oct 3, 2009
Thanks for keeping everyone in the loop, Maria.
This is so sad. I just spoke with LD Cox and he didn't know yet. I told him I'd let him know where to send flowers as soon as I know details about the funeral services.
I'll contact Doug Stanton and make sure that he knows.
Our Indy boys are precious fountains of information and wisdom. I enjoyed many hours with Mike and his sweet wife, Lorain, at the reunions. We were very disappointed that he and Lorain weren't able to attend the rescuers' reunion in Branson a few weeks ago. Everyone had so been looking forward to seeing his infectious smile and his firecracker of a wife. What fun he was to be around!
He will be greatly missed.
SurvivorsDaughter said
Oct 5, 2009
Thanks Kim. We are all just so sad to lose such a sweet man. I contacted everyone on my email list, and made several phone calls, so hopefully the word will get out to those that loved Mike. I'm not sure yet about the memorial donations, but as soon as I find out, I will pass the word on.
Here is a precious picture of him that I took at the last Memorial Service that we attended and another of Mike & Lorain. Such a sweet couple - and yes Lorain IS a firecracker! Guess that why I love her so much & we get along so well!
One of the charities that Mike's family has kindly directed memorials to is the USS Indianapolis/Gwinn "Angel" Scholarship Fund. For more information on that, go to
http://www.gtrcf.org/Funds/index.cfm?Fuseaction=record&FundID=28478
or call 231-935-4066 for more information on donations.
JACK said
Oct 8, 2009
I am very sad at hearing the news about the passing of Mr. Kuryla, my name is Russell Brandt and I am the grandson of Russell Lee Brandt also a survivor. I had the great privledge of meeting mike on several occations, once at my grandfathers funeral and another time in Iola Wisconsin at a military show where he was speeking with his wife{you could tell who called the shots in that relationship} From all that I have heard and read he was truly a man among men. The world is truly a better place because of Mike and the rest of men that served on that gloriouse ship.May god rest his sole.
This is so sad. I just spoke with LD Cox and he didn't know yet. I told him I'd let him know where to send flowers as soon as I know details about the funeral services.
I'll contact Doug Stanton and make sure that he knows.
Our Indy boys are precious fountains of information and wisdom. I enjoyed many hours with Mike and his sweet wife, Lorain, at the reunions. We were very disappointed that he and Lorain weren't able to attend the rescuers' reunion in Branson a few weeks ago. Everyone had so been looking forward to seeing his infectious smile and his firecracker of a wife. What fun he was to be around!
He will be greatly missed.
Thanks Kim. We are all just so sad to lose such a sweet man. I contacted everyone on my email list, and made several phone calls, so hopefully the word will get out to those that loved Mike. I'm not sure yet about the memorial donations, but as soon as I find out, I will pass the word on.
Here is a precious picture of him that I took at the last Memorial Service that we attended and another of Mike & Lorain. Such a sweet couple - and yes Lorain IS a firecracker! Guess that why I love her so much & we get along so well!