July 28, 1951 – March 1, 2020
James (Jim) Lynn Kudrna, 68, passed away on March 1, 2020. He was born and raised in Omaha, NE to parents James Joseph and Patsy Ann Chandler Kudrna. He was married to Jolene (Armbrust) Kudrna for 41 years, and they had two children, Casey and McKenzie.
Jim attended the University of Nebraska earning both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Architecture. He began his career with HDR in Omaha, and then taught for more than 30 years at the University of Oklahoma. After retiring from OU in 2008, Jim worked and consulted for GH2 Architects in Norman and Tulsa. In 2016, he and Jolene moved to Portland, OR, to be closer to their daughter and fulfill a lifelong dream of living in the Pacific Northwest.
Jim was preceded in death by his father, James. He is survived by his wife, Jolene of Portland, OR, his mother, Patsy of Omaha, NE, his sister Kim Kohl and her husband John of Omaha, NE, his daughter McKenzie of Portland, OR, his son Casey, daughter in law Kinsey, and grandchildren Karsen and Carter of Overland Park, KS, and many other family members.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s name to the ALS Association of Oregon located at 700 NE Multnomah St, Suite 210, Portland, OR 97232.
The memorial service and reception planned for Monday, March 30, 2020, in Norman, OK, has been postponed until further notice.
On April 24, 2026, the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture hosted its annual Graduate Student Showcase, a celebration of research, design innovation, and creative exploration across all graduate programs within the College.
The Gibbs College of Architecture celebrates fifth-year architecture student Haley Praytor, who has been recognized at the national level for her design work. In early March, Haley received a Graduate Division Award of Merit for her submission to the 2025 Metal Building Manufacturers Association student design competition.
Ronald Frantz Jr., emeritus professor, has been named a 2026 Mary Means Leadership Award recipient, the highest honor presented by Main Street America. The award was announced at the Main Street Now Conference in Tulsa, recognizing leaders who advance preservation-based economic development and community revitalization.
