S. George Kurz (known to most as George and to his mother as Buster), beloved son of the late George and Marion Kurz, and devoted husband of Jo Ann, nee Hoenselaar. Dear brother of Barbara Jean (Miller); loving father of George (Linda) Kurz, Keith (Sally) Kurz, Craig Kurz, Kari Lin (Kurt) Schell, Kim (John) Heath, 13 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on December 5, 2025, at his home in Montgomery, Ohio. Born on May 11, 1935 (Mother's Day weekend and a birthday he shared with his mother) in the Polish neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan, George never forgot his Polish heritage, Catholic upbringing, and Michigan roots, proudly supporting and maintaining the relationships he built at St Joe's High School and remaining a Wolverine fan for life.

While in High School, he noticed a pretty girl from Dominican High who was walking past their house to the church across the street. The legend is that he said, "that's the girl I'm going to marry", and in January of 1959, his prediction came to pass.

When he graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit in June of that year with a degree in Pharmacy, the plan was to follow in his father's footsteps and become a pharmacist, but fate intervened in the form of the business his new father-in-law Harry Hoenselaar had begun less than two years prior, The Honey Baked Ham Company. As the business grew, Harry's daughters helped in the store, and both he and Jo Ann saw this as an opportunity they wanted to pursue.

In late 1965, they packed their three young boys in a used van and headed to Ohio, where the 2nd Honey Baked Ham store opened on February 25, 1966, in a converted Lawson convenience store in Parma, just outside Cleveland. Their risk-taking opened the door to the brand's national growth, and George, as Chairman, continued to lead and innovate as the brand grew and evolved.

In 1972, the family settled on a farm near New London, Ohio. This country setting provided a wonderful place to raise their children and ignited Georges lifelong love of horses. The family enjoyed showing and competing at the local shows before growing into a national force in the American Saddlebred world. For many years, George and Jo Ann held leadership roles in helping to expand the breed. His most recent equine joy was watching his thoroughbred racehorses excel on the track. Fittingly, his last racehorse won a prestigious race in October at the famed Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Ky.

Whether it was business, horses, homes, or his lifelong goal to improve his golf game, everything he did was focused on family and friends and how to build opportunities and better lives for all. There was nothing he liked better than to celebrate with loved ones and all were treated with incredible respect and generosity of spirit.

His legacy of love and dedication to family and friends will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

A Mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, January 9, 2026 at All Saints Catholic Church, 8939 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236, followed by a luncheon and celebration of life at Kenwood Country Club.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of George may be directed to Hospice of Cincinnati, P.O. Box 633597, Cincinnati, OH 45263-3597.