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John Kundla
1916 - 2017
John Kundla
1916 - 2017
Obituary
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BORN
1916
DIED
2017
John Kundla Obituary
He coached pro basketball from 1946 to 1968. His teams won six league championships, four in the NBA, one in the National Basketball League, and one in the Basketball Association of America. The latter two were the predecessors of the NBA.
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John Albert Kundla was born July 3, 1916, in Star Junction, Pennsylvania. His family moved to Minneapolis when he was 5. He was a graduate of the University of Minnesota, where he was a standout for the Golden Gophers basketball teams of the late 1930s.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, he coached the College of St. Thomas men’s basketball team for a season. After that, the Minneapolis Lakers hired Kundla as head coach in 1947. He led the team to the 1948 NBL title.
Kundla’s teams went on to win five BAA-NBA titles in six years, from 1949 to 1954. Kundla’s Lakers were the first modern dynasty of pro basketball. Major players at the time included Hall of Fame center George Mikan and the high-jumping forward Jim Pollard.
After Kundla's coaching days with the Lakers ended in 1960, he stayed in Minnesota while the Lakers moved to Los Angeles. Kundla coached at his alma mater and taught physical education at the University of Minnesota. He retired from coaching in 1968 and from teaching in 1981.
He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995.
He is survived by six children. His wife, Marie, whom he met at the University of Minnesota, preceded him in death, in 2007.
29 Entries
January 1, 2018
When the Timberwolves and Lakers play who do you root for? Hope you're doing well in the afterlife, Coach Kundla! Your legacy is not forgotten
Karen
October 29, 2017
I am very sorry for the loss of your father. May the God f comfort continue to be with all of you. 2 Cornthians 1:3,4.
August 24, 2017
I am so sorry for your loss. Losing our love ones is never easy but may the love of people that surrounds you soften your grief. And may you find comfort and peace in drawing closer to God in prayer during this difficult time.
August 8, 2017
I would like to express my deepest sympathy for the loss of your loved one. May God comfort and sustain you through this time of mourning.
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July 31, 2017
My condolences to his family and friends. He touched many lives during his lifetime, and will remember him fondly. During this difficult time please rely on our Heavenly Father for strength and comfort.
Wendy GB
July 31, 2017
To the Kundla family my sincere condolences and prayers are with you that God the Almighty may grant you strength, endurance, comfort and peace "so you may abound in hope through the Holy Spirit." (Ro.15:13) Treasuring his great accomplishments in your hearts and minds that it may carry you through these difficult moments.
Bobbie Evavold
July 29, 2017
I was sad to hear of John's passing. I worked for John at the St. Paul Gym, U of M. I was only 22 years old then and my husband was a full-time college student, so money was pretty scarce. John would take me and my husband out to lunch every couple of months. He would always say, now be sure Mike is coming too. He was never too busy to see a student. His door was always open. He was so kind, generous, and funny. My favorite memory of John is one day he came out of his office with a piece of paper, a mirror, and a stop watch. He set the paper and mirror in front of me. He said, now draw a clock face by only looking at the paper in the mirror. You have 2 minutes and I'll time you. The whole time he stood there saying, no pressure, tick-tock, tick-tock. The rest of the day, he had everyone who walked into our office do his test. John was so proud of his family and we kept in touch every Christmas with cards and he always had something nice to say about my family. I will never forget him and he will always hold a special place in my heart.
MV
July 28, 2017
May the God of all comfort strengthen the family and know that God keeps in his memories all those who die, because they are precious in his eyes.( Psalms 116:15)
Ruby
July 27, 2017
My prayers goes out to the Kundla family. May your memories bring joy to your hearts and may our Heavenly Father comfort you and your family at this most difficult time. Psalms 145:18,19
July 27, 2017
My condolences to the family in their grief. May God ease your pain and suffering and give peace and comfort during this most difficult time. Barb NC
July 27, 2017
John Kundla was truly blessed to have lived such a long and full life! So many cannot say the same. May he forever be in our hearts and in God's book of life.
July 26, 2017
Sorry for your loss , what a wonderful life he lived 101 year old he was especially stronger . Psalms 90:10
July 26, 2017
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Edwin.Flipper Griffin
July 26, 2017
My good wishes and hopes in your next journey.
July 25, 2017
I was so very sorry to hear of the passing of John. About 60-some years ago, I was his secretary for the Minneapolis Lakers, when the offices were still in the old Loeb Arcade, which I am sure is no longer even there. He was fun to work with, forgave my mistakes, and made the job fun to go to. I helped move the team to Los Angeles a few years later - different coach, different circumstances, but never forgot John and the great times I had working for him - son Tom was our office boy! My deepest sympathy...
Marcia Hannum, Denver Colorado
July 25, 2017
Cherish the memories. God will open his hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. Psalm 145:16
Thea
July 25, 2017
I'm so very sorry to hear about your loss. And also may your family find comfort love and strength and with the loving support of family and friends at this difficult time.
July 24, 2017
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Peter Hunter-Hanson
July 24, 2017
Our condolences to you all. What an amazing life he lived. My Dad, George Hanson, was assistant under Coach Kundla at the University of Minnesota and had the utmost respect for him.
Thinking about your entire family.
Sincerely,
Peter Hunter-Hanson, Karen Hanson and the entire Hanson family
July 24, 2017
What a wonderful person he was. Whenever I saw him at Mass or in the hall for Bingo at Catholic Eldercare, or the halls of Mainstreet Lodge, or wherever with his son Jim, he would take the time to take my hand in his hands and greet me in his language. I will miss his beautiful smile. God Bless you John, and may God give you lots of candy. Jane Marino Kibler
July 24, 2017
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy for your loss. Remember our Heavenly Father will soon take away all pain and sorrow.
~lN Birmingham, Al.
Lillian Wu
July 24, 2017
What a remarkable career and longevity to reach being a centenarian plus one. May the Kundla family be comforted in knowing that John will return to his youth as promised at Job 33:25.
July 24, 2017
Please except my condolences on behalf of your love one John Kundla. May the God of Peace and Comfort be with the family and friends at this time SP
Harry Simpson
July 24, 2017
Godspeed, and thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Fair winds and following seas sailor.
Thank you for your service to this nation.
Bob Harrison
July 24, 2017
This message is from Bob Harrison who played for the Lakers in the NBA & was coached by John Kundla. I am his sister-in-law & he currently is visiting me in Columbus & left his cell at home.. I believe Bob is the oldest NBA player alive today as well as the oldest ex-Laker. He will be 90 in about 2 weeks & remembers John Kundl well. His message is as follows:
He was a wonderful person - kind, respectful of his players, & never (in all the games we played) did I hear him use a swear word. Judy, my wife (who passed away last year) adored both John & his wife. We had several dinners together over the years & we always enjoyed being with them. I am very sorry to hear of his passing & my sincerest condolences go to his family. Bob Harrison
Friends
July 24, 2017
To the family of Mr Kundla, So saddened to hear of your loss. Your father was truly an amazing and talented gentlemen. May God grant solace to the family during this most challenging time. May God's promise of eliminating sickness and death forever comfort you. With Love & heartfelt sympathies.
July 24, 2017
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Marty Koss
July 24, 2017
Our condolences to the Kundla family and friends - rest in peace John.
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