James R. Kukol, Jr.

James R. Kukol, Jr., passed away Friday at Fritzingertown Senior Living Community, Drums, surrounded by loved ones, where he had been residing for the past year after battling Parkinson's disease for more than 15 years. He previously lived with his wife in Eagle Rock.

Born in Hazleton, he was the son of the late James R. Sr. and Theresa (Gerone) Kukol. He graduated from Bishop Hafey High School in 1976 and Kings College in 1980 with a degree in Accounting. He worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue in Scranton and Arthur Anderson in Philadelphia.

Jim had a passion for woodworking. He did many challenging home improvement projects with the skill of a professional and crafted several beautiful clocks. He had an active outdoor life, from skiing out West and in Europe, to mountain biking in the Rockies, to a road trip to Alaska, to hiking the Red Rocks of Sedona. As the years progressed, Jim's life was enriched with grandchildren and weekends became filled with their many various activities. He was full of life, had a unique sense of humor, was generous, and always willing to help others. Jim loved his family deeply and would often be heard advising his nieces and nephews that their reward would come in Heaven in place of a simple thank you. He will be deeply missed by his family, as well as by his many life-long friends who preferred to call him George.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, the former Patricia Cadwalader, to whom he was married on August 19, 2000 at Harveys Lake; two children, Deanna Griffith-Brown and husband Aaron, Drums; and David Griffith and wife Gina, Hazle Township; five grandchildren, Morgan Esposito (with whom he shared a special bond), Connor and Sophia Brown, and Jackson and Jace Griffith. Also surviving are his sister, Kathy Boris and husband Bernie, Conyngham; a brother, George Kukol and wife Michele, Scranton; and many nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to the wonderful staff at Fritzingertown Senior Living Community for their kindness, support, and friendship; and to All Care Hospice Care for their compassionate care.

His funeral will be celebrated with a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, April 17, 2026, at 10 AM in St. John Bosco RC Church, 573 State Route 93, Sugarloaf, PA, 18249. Interment will take place privately at the convenience of the family. Friends may call at the church on Friday morning from 9 AM until the time of the Mass. Harman Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc. (East), 669 West Butler Dr, Drums, is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, should be made to the American Brain Foundation at www.americanbrainfoundation.org. Online condolences can be entered, and more information is available at www.harmanfuneral.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James R. Kukol, Jr., please visit our floral store.