W.R. "Pastor Bob" Kurko

W.R. “Pastor Bob” Kurko, age 71, of Cave Junction, died Friday, September 4, 2015 at Highland House Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

Bob was born February 9, 1944 in Somers Point, New Jersey to Metro & Helen Kurko. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and served in Germany. He was a professional musician and traveled with a band as drummer. In 1975 he married his wife, Virginia and in 1979 they started traveling cross-country visiting every state except Hawaii as evangelists. Over 20 years ago, they moved from Ramona, California to Cave Junction where Bob established and taught at the Great Commission Institute, a Bible college in Cave Junction and sent out Bible studies across the United States. Bob enjoyed traveling and that is how he found his home here in Oregon which he loved. He would proudly show his family all the beautiful sites in Oregon including the Oregon & Northern Californian coasts.

Bob and Virginia pastored First Love Christian Fellowship until illness forced them to retire three years ago. He was also a drummer at his church.

Bob helped facilitate food pick up and distribution in Cave Junction. He also helped with meals and spiritual ministry among the homeless.

He was master mechanic and loved tinkering.

Survivors include a daughter, Michele Denise Wadlinger and her husband, John J. Wadlinger of Bucks County, Pennsylvania; a son, Chris D. Kurko of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; grandchildren, Shawn Ryan Simon and Devon Simon both of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Kanisha N. Holloway of Australia, Healther L. Landreth of Idaho, Zachariah M. Kurko and Ryland C. Kurko both of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; great-grandchildren, Kaiyden Scott Simon of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Carson T. Landreth and Ronan C. Landreth both of Idaho; a sister, Linda O’Conner; brother, John M. Kurko; nephews, Dean O’Connor and Matt O’Connor; great-niece, Evelyn Shea O’Connor; and great-nephew, Dean O’Connor Jr all of Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Preceding him in death was his wife, Virginia L. Kurko in 2014; step-son, Randall Clifford “Randy” Ashcraft in 1980; brother in law, Edward O’Connor, Bucks County, Pa., 2010 and Grandson, Brendan M. Kurko, Idaho, 1999.

A graveside service with military honors will be at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, September 10, 2015 at Eagle Point National Cemetery. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.