George William McKulla Jr.

Age: 87

Date of Death: September 05, 2023

Matawan, NJ

George W. McKulla Jr. passed away peacefully at his residence in Matawan, NJ on September 5, 2023 at the age of 87. George was born June 9, 1936 in Yakima, Washington to George McKulla Sr. and Eva (Laconic) McKulla as the youngest of three children. He graduated from high school in Auburn, WA and earned an engineering degree from the University of Washington. Like his father and brother before him, George joined the U.S. Armed Forces through the ROTC program in college, and served as a captain in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve. After serving his country, George moved to Maryland, married, and began his engineering career in refractories. During this time, he also joined the St. Alban Birmingham Masonic Lodge, where he achieved the degree of Master Mason. In 1967, he moved his young family to Middletown, NJ, and stayed in Monmouth County for the remainder of his life. George was a big believer in the strength of community. As a young man, he sang in his church choir, was an Assistant Scoutmaster for BSA Troop 140 in Middletown, and participated in local government as an appointed member of the Monmouth County Shade Tree Commission, dedicated to the care and stewardship of trees on public property. In 1984, he earned an Associate Degree in Applied Science from Brookdale Community College which he then used to teach basic computer programming. He was also a tenor and stage manager for The Arcadian Chorale, an acclaimed choral and vocal music ensemble who performs at sites throughout metropolitan NY-NJ, including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, and received a distinguished service award for 25 years of contribution to that group. During that time, he was a regular donor at the Central Jersey Blood Center, giving over 100 times, and was also an active member of the St. John’s United Methodist Church, where he studied and assisted in teaching Bible Studies with fellow parishioners. He loved watching football, had a soft spot for cats and dogs, and could eat like a teenager. George is predeceased by his daughter, Karen Jean Nicholls of Cream Ridge, NJ and youngest son, Gregory Allen McKulla of Mountain Lakes, NJ. He is survived by his son, George W. McKulla III of Norwalk, CT, seven grandchildren, a niece and three nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations in George’s honor can be sent to St. John’s United Methodist Church, 2000 Florence Avenue, Hazlet, NJ 07730 or The Arcadian Chorale, www.arcadianchorale.org.