John Paul Kulak

After a brief battle with cancer, John Paul Kulak, age 68, transitioned peacefully from this earthly life into the arms of Jesus on August 7, 2025. John Paul was born in Kilgore, Texas on December 1, 1956 to Aletha Cetrue Lee and John Kulak. He was a man of faith who loved Jesus, his family and his friends deeply. He married Cindy Killion on January 16, 1982 and they were blessed with three wonderful children, Joshua, Meagan, and Taylor.

A graduate of Kilgore High School and Kilgore College, John began his working life in the oil field supply business but soon after getting married, found himself called into the teaching profession. He earned his BS in Education from The University of Texas at Tyler, then later his Masters in Education from Stephen F. Austin State University. He taught at SAILS and East Texas Charter High School where, in addition to teaching academic courses, he “taught life”, living out the love of Jesus among his students and touching countless lives. Throughout his later years, he and Cindy often ran into students who told him about the great impact he had on their lives.

His deep love for kids was not only expressed in his career, but also through his involvement with the youth at church. Attending countless church camps, D-Nows and other youth events, he was always present. John was one of those parents who built meaningful relationships with students and supported them by being involved in their lives.

He lived this type of dedication to kids in the sporting arena as well, having coached and umpired for Kilgore Boys Baseball Association prior to having his own children as well as running the time clock for Kilgore College Basketball. As Joshua, Meagan, and Taylor became involved in activities, John coached many of their soccer and baseball teams. As they moved into middle school and high school, he became active in the Band, Soccer, Football, Ag and Hi-Stepper Booster Clubs and even started a second round with Band Boosters when his oldest grandson, Carson, joined Middle School band. For years, John could be found every Thursday and Friday night working in the concession stand at R.E. St. John Stadium. On weekends, he could be found mucking pig stalls or at a jackpot show helping numerous Ag students showing their animals or Ag Mech projects.

Collecting all things old and rusty was another passion for John Paul. Attending garage sales every weekend and First Monday Trade Days in Canton was a tradition that he passed down to his kids as well as his oldest grandchildren. His pristine yard and herb and vegetable gardens were another passion that John shared with his children, grandchildren and the community. Many were recipients of his fresh tomatoes, onions and other vegetables. People from all over Kilgore would drive by to see his beautiful azaleas and extravagant Christmas decorations.

Friends knew him as a hard worker, willing to do anything to help anyone. That is truly how he lived his life…always looking to help others, always putting others before himself. John was known for all of these things, but the real passion of his life was his 8 grandchildren.

Left to cherish his memory and continue his legacy are his wife Cindy, children Joshua Kulak and Kari, Meagan Cooper and Jerrod, Taylor Kulak and Savannah, grandchildren Carson, Cameron, and Caden Cooper, Killion and Margaret Kulak, and Eve, Griffin, and Whitten Kulak, sisters, Ann Dafoe and Bob and Joy Russell, brother Dean Gutshall; mother-in-law, Betty Killion, sister-in-law, Suzy Dukes and Bret, brother-in-law, Steve Killion and Kim and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The family would like to extend their thanks to all the friends who have prayed for and supported them through this journey. Thank you to The Hospice of East Texas for their excellent care of John. And a special thanks is extended to Pam Chalk, Jessica Hensley, Brittany Byrdsong, Subrina Williams, Brittany Raines, and Judy Runnels who loved and cared for John and became family.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to 1KS First Baptist Church of Kilgore Youth Ministry in order to continue John’s legacy of impacting students for Christ.

Services for John Paul Kulak will be 1:00 PM Friday, August 15, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Kilgore with Rev. David Hampton officiating. Burial will follow at Pirtle Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM Thursday evening at Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore.