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Roland KUDLA Obituary

KUDLA, Roland Perry

Roland Perry Kudla of Granger, TX, went to meet his savior on Thursday, October 31, 2013. Roland was born on June 23, 1925, in Houston, TX, to Mitchell and Leona Walker Kudla. Rolands father emigrated to the U.S. from Austria through Ellis Island, NY, after WWI. His father was a U.S. Army Calvary veteran who served with Gen. George Pershing chasing Poncho Villa along the Mexican border. His mothers Walker name has been traced back to the two Walker brothers who chopped down a bridge on Vince Bayou to prevent General Santa Anas retreat during the Battle of San Jacinto and Texas fight for independence.

Roland grew up in Houstons 2nd Ward, playing softball, baseball and basketball in Settegast Park which was located just down the street from his home. His father was a railroad employee and Roland thought nothing of hopping on a freight train and riding down to Galveston for a days outing. He attended Sam Houston High School, but due to the outbreak of WWII, he joined the U.S. Marines and earned his GED while in Marine Corps boot camp, as well as, graduating from the Marine Corps Scout Sniper School.

Rolands Marine Corps 6th Defense Battalion was prepared to be one of the principal units to physically invade the many islands which comprised the Japanese Empire, but due to the sudden end of WWII they thankfully were spared that mission which would have cost many American lives.

Upon his discharge from the Marines, Roland enrolled at the University of Houston and was a member of the first UH Cougar Football Team in 1946. He then left UH and transferred to Texas A&I University in Kingsville, TX, where he was accepted under the newly implemented G.I. Bill. At Texas A&I he lettered in both Javelina football and baseball.

In 1946, Roland met Carolyn Beth Brewster of Granger, TX, on a blind date arranged by his sister. They enjoyed dancing in Houston at the Plantation and The High Hat dance clubs during the big band era of Tommy Dorsey and Harry James. Carolyn and Roland married May 29th, 1948. They resided in Kingsville, TX, while Roland continued his education at Texas A&I University as he planned to become a public school teacher and athletic coach. He earned his Bachelors Degree in Education from Texas A&I in 1950. He furthered his education and earned his Masters Degree in Education and his Administrators Certification from Sam Houston State University in 1970.

Roland began his teaching and coaching career in Ben Bolt, TX, then recruited to Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, TX. Soon after he began coaching at Baytown Junior High, but was transferred mid-year to the Robert E. Lee High School coaching staff in Baytown, TX. At REL, he served under the distinguished Head Coach Dan Stallworth and served as an assistant coach from 1953 to 1966.

In 1966, Roland was named the first head coach at Ross S. Sterling High School in Baytown, TX. After leading the football coaching staff for five years, he was appointed assistant principal and later principal at Horace Mann Junior High in Baytown, TX.

In 1979, Roland and Carolyn relocated to the family farm outside Granger, TX, where he soon accepted the position as superintendent of schools in Granger ISD. He served Granger for six years, but due to his desire to coach again before he retired, he resigned from Granger ISD and accepted the head coaching position at Georgetown Middle School in Georgetown, TX, where he coached for another three years before retiring in 1986.

Roland enjoyed playing golf and was a member of the Georgetown Country Club where everyone called him Coach. A lifelong member of the Lettermans Association of Texas A&I University, the Texas A&I Alumni Association, Texas High School Coaches Association and the Central Texas Retired Coaches Association, Roland was well known among the Texas coaching community.

Roland lived a Christ centered life for all of his years. To know him was to find oneself desiring to emulate him as a man, a husband, a father and a Christian.

He attended many reunions of his Marine Corps 6th Defense Battalion and remained a steadfast Marine to the end of his days by proudly displaying the U.S. and Marine emblems and flags. When given the opportunity, Roland always greeted a fellow Marine with Semper Fi.

Roland is survived by his wife of 65 years Carolyn Beth Brewster Kudla and their three daughters and two sons-in-law, Beth Kudla Elam and Phil of Austin, TX, Kay Kudla Quinton of Buda, TX, and her late husband, Tim, and Susan Kudla Tone and Chuck of Granger, TX. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Grant Elam and Jennifer of Austin, TX, Collin Mills and Kristen of Barbers Hill, TX, Kara Quinton Johnston and Tyler of Velburg, Germany and Kathryn Quinton of New York City, NY. He is also survived by two great grandsons, Cooper Mills and Liam Johnston. Extended family includes one sister, Janice Kudla McLaughlin of Pearland, TX, and his late brother, Norman Kudla.

Known as Dad to his daughters, Poppa to his grandchildren and Coach to legions of people, he will be sorely missed.

There will be a private burial in Granger, TX. A memorial service celebrating Rolands life will be held at Providence Funeral Home in Taylor, TX, on Tuesday, November 5, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Semper Fi Fund to serve the needs of our wounded service members: https://semperfifund.org/donate/ or Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, 825 College Blvd., Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057.

Published by Austin American-Statesman from Nov. 3 to Nov. 4, 2013.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

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Memories and Condolences
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I have waited to share this remembrance of Coach Kudla for this Thanksgiving Day. When l was young Baytown only had 1 High School and I grew up wanting to play for the Ganders. My family was rich in Gander tradition. My older brothers Rudy, Jaime, and Alan had all played for the Gander football and baseball teams and all were All-District players. Then when I was a sophomore Sterling High was established. I was playing baseball for Coach Kudla and had gotten moved up to the JVs in football for Coach Kern. I had hopes of finally playing on the varsity the following year. But then something unexpected happened. My close friend, Ronnie Garrett, asked me to transfer with him to Sterling. He told me Coach Walker was gonna be the basketball coach. The thought of playing basketball with my Junior High coach really interested me, but I still had to talk to my older brothers to make such a big decision in my life. I was sure they would talk me out of it because of our strong ties to the Ganders. But theyre response was not what I expected. They told me that if I was gonna continue to play football, l should go with Coach Kudla. I was shocked at this response. They say Go With Kudla hes Fair and Not Predudiced. So I went to Sterling and changed my life. To this date I still have many friends from both schools. Ill never forget those words Go With Kudla Hes Fair and Not Predudiced. Thanks for the memories. I played for Coach Kudla,Coach Walker,and Coach Hughes and just like my brothers before me, I talked my brother, David, into attending Sterling High.

Rangers Stand United. Thanks Coach Kudla for
making my decision so much easier. Every player will never forget your Leadership and your Fairness.
Jerry Acosta
Class of 1968
First graduate of Sterling High





Geraldo acosta

November 28, 2019

This coach is the one I will always remember. Both for being stern and compassionate. Great family man and human being

Paul Prince

June 18, 2014

Mrs. Kudla, Beth, Kay, and Susie,
Please accept my condolences. Praying as the holidays approach that God's peace and comfort will encompass you.
Blessings,
Janet Adams Cooksey

November 20, 2013

Carolyn so sorry to hear of the death of Roland. He was a special person and worked so hard for the students at GHS. May God bless you and your family.

Mary Ann Repa Miles

November 10, 2013

Kay, I'm so sorry to learn about your dad. You and all your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Linda Burch

November 6, 2013

My mother, Loretta Mikulencak, worked for Roland at Granger ISD. I know she thought very fondly of Roland and Carolyn. My deepest sympathy.

Mandy Mikulencak

November 6, 2013

Mrs. Kudla - please accept our condolences. I had the privilege of only one year, with you and Mr. Kudla at GHS, but one that I will always remember. You both were very sweet people and had a common interest in the students. As I have seen you all over the years, you never hesitated to say "Hello" and remember times past. I pray that he is enjoying his heavenly rewards and that God will comfort you until you see him again. With love, Cara and Wade Finn

Cara Finn

November 6, 2013

I knew Mr. and Mrs. Kudla while I was a student at Granger HS. Mr. Kudla was a very nice, humble man who was a great listener. He was very optimistic and always encouraging others to do good. Even after his retirement, seeing him at the store, he would always say hello and recall instances I experienced while in school. He is a STAR in my night sky that will always lead me HOME whenever I look UP for GUIDANCE. Mrs. Kudla and family, my sincere condolences.
May Perpetual LIGHT shine upon him and may he rest in PEACE.
Sincerely,
Carmen

Carmen Luna

November 5, 2013

I sure enjoyed having you as a coach at Robert E. Lee in Baytown. You understood kids in a certain way and taught the game of football well. I know you and Pete, Kevin, Paul Bill, and Kramer will welcome you. I know the city of Baytown will miss you.

Charlie Frazier

November 5, 2013

Carolyn and Family
We were saddened to read about the death of Roland. Jepp has many fond memories of Coach Roland and the family when y'all lived behind them in Barbers Hill and later when you were in Baytown. All of you are in our prayers and memories. Love, Jepp and Lynette Busch

November 4, 2013

Coach Kudla was my head coach at Sterling High School. He was an inspiration and a great mentor. Many of us still speak highly of him. He taught me self discipline and determination to fulfill my goals in life. Thank you Coach for being there whenever I wanted to talk to someone. Your leadership will never be forgotten.

My condolences to the Kudla Family.

Jerry Acosta
Class of '68

Jerry Acosta

November 4, 2013

Coach Kudla will be rembered by all of us that he taught and coached. REL Class of 63.

Richard Gresham

November 3, 2013

Coach Kudla was my homeroom teacher when I was in 7th grade at Horace Mann Jr. (the old one)and was a blast as a bus driver for our 8th grade field trip (who doesn't remember that?).I will forever remember his kindness and sense of humor. I pray his family finds comfort in the wonderful legacy left behind from a Man of such great stature and caring for others. Hearts and hugs to you all.
Coach, rest now, Sir, You're Home!

Darlene Perio Deen

November 2, 2013

My heart goes out to the Kudla family. Coach taught me so much as an athlete and a young man. He was a real inspiration to me. A Christian man and tough as nails with no excuses for failure. Thanks Coach for being such a role model.

Bobby Slack

November 2, 2013

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