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.
Construction Industry Speaker Series welcomed Stephen Evans from the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum to give a lecture on better conversations and relationship building.
The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame recognizes a select number of high-character individuals who have made a significant and lasting positive impact on Gibbs College, its students, staff, faculty, alumni and/or to communities across the globe. The impact may have been, or continues to be, in the form of service and mentorship, sustained professional excellence, and/or advancement and financial support. Joseph Edgar Smay is part of the 2025 Hall of Fame class.
Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture congratulates three architecture students who were recognized in the 2026 AIA Dallas Student Design Awards.
