Robert "Lary" Kuehn

ROBERT “LARY” KUEHN, G.G., F.G.A.

Lary Kuehn heard a dog-whistle through the trees as New Year approached and he answered St. Peter’s call to come--STAT!  Typical of Lary, he wasted no time and left us in a mere four days on Jan. 2, 2024.

Robert Lary Kuehn is a 4th generation son of Cooke County, born in the old Sanatorium to Maxine Lary and Leo M. Kuehn, Jr. on Oct. 19, 1939.  A 1957 graduate of Gainesville High School (the last class in Newsom Dougherty Mansion), he buzzed off to become a TCU Froggie and member of Sigma Chi, graduating with a BA of Fine Arts in 1961.  Echoing episodes of “Mad Men”, he pursued a career in the budding advertising/TV/Film business in Dallas, working for Keitz & Herndon and Jamison Film Companies.  During that fun period, he met his beloved, and only wife, Shelly, pursued her avidly, and they married nine months later, on Sept. 19, 1964 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Dallas.  Thereafter were born two sons, Scott (1969) and Blake (1973).

After the TV industry bombed with the economy, Lary jumped into his next and longest career as a wholesale natural colored gemstone dealer, becoming the second oldest jewelry showroom in the newly opened (1974) World Trade Center on Stemmons Freeway.  He paid his dues and found a mentor, Orlando S. Paddock, who led him to earn gemological degrees as Graduate Gemologist, GIA and quickly, Fellow of the Gemmological Assn. of Great Britain (a PhD in gemstones certificate), followed by Registered Supplier of the American Gem Society, and charter member of the American Gem Trade Assn.  “The Precious World of Colored Gems” aka R. Lary Kuehn Inc. served the trade for 15 years in that location and Lary was a well-known gemologist and industry speaker aiding retail jewelers and innovating within professional organizations in the industry:  He was an appraiser, dealer and authority on all facets of the jewelry business.  Pun intended.  He later expanded into selling high-end Lazare Kaplan Diamonds, then brought his expertise on antique and estate jewelry to Sterling Jewelry in Dallas.

A 40+ year resident of University Park and Dallas businessman, Lary knew people from everywhere.  He was as supportive of Shelly’s projects as his own; he was chosen Anchor Man of the Delta Gamma Alumnae in the 1970s for assisting her organize DG’s Antique Appraisal Day fundraiser.  He was a 32-year Board member of the School of Jewelry Technology at Paris Jr. College and frequent lecturer there, and was recommended for a USAID assignment to assist Sri Lanka gem producers following the 2002 tsunami that decimated their mining operations.  Health scares often push decisions, which is what happened in 2004 just as he and Shelly were embarking on building a retirement home in Cooke County’s Cross Timbers.

Except Lary didn’t retire.  He resumed his lifelong passion for magic, first exhibited as an 8-year old 2nd grader at a talent show on the stage of J.M. Lindsay Elementary in Gainesville.  He was fascinated by the magical arts and transcended kid tricks and floating balls to become a well-known leader in psychology and mentalism.  Lary authored articles in magic publications and more than 8 “how to” books that taught others the skills to persuade people to believe the impossible.  It was magic!  That was how Lary retired.

Returning to Cooke County in 2005, Lary served 10 years on the Foundation Board of North Central Texas College, and with Shelly funded the endowed Kuehn “Create” Scholarship # 338 to help creative students survive college costs.  He was an energetic fund raiser for Morton Museum, served as overseer of the reconstruction of the building in 2010 and donated computer skills trying to upgrade the museum’s collection.  He and Shelly were Lifetime Members of the Cooke County Heritage Society.  Robert Lary Kuehn knew more Cooke County history than many scholars, and he loved sharing how his family arrived and thrived here in 1888 as owners of Manhattan Clothiers on the north side of the square.

Lary read constantly, was a talented woodworker, cooked three dishes when necessary, complained frequently but loved his family deeply and contributed to the community when his unorthodox talents seemed useful.  He was a giver more than a doer but with a huge heart for those less fortunate.  He was a history buff with a memory like an elephant.  The man rarely forgot faces or facts but names often and was not a friend of numbers so Shelly drew that family chore.

Spiritual believers, the Kuehns were longtime members of St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church in University Park but became bi-Christians when moving to Gainesville, maintaining membership in Grayson Episcopal churches and attending First Christian Church regularly in Gainesville.  They had loving church friends in both counties and congregations.

Lary Kuehn is loved and will be remembered by his small family, including wife Shelly, sons Scott Jackson Kuehn (Julie) of McKinney, TX and Blake Caldwell Kuehn (Celeste Brecht) of Marquette, MI;  grandchildren Tyler Kuehn of Brooklyn, NY and Allison Kuehn, Denver, CO; brother Jack Kuehn (Frances) of Woodville, TX; brother-in-law Jim Caldwell, Conroe, TX and nieces/nephews Kathy Kuehn, Beth Kuehn Sandford (Junior), Chris Caldwell, and Bill Kuehn (Gio) and great-nephew Cillian Sanford and great niece Paz Kuehn.

Lary was predeceased by mother Maxine (1997) and father Leo (2006) and will be interred with them in the family plot at Fairview Cemetery.  At Lary’s request, cremation arrangements were under the care of Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Lary’s Life is scheduled for April 6 in the Chapel at Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home, 1:00 pm sharp.  Friends are invited to come bid Lary farewell and (briefly!) share a funny story or remembrance of his 84 years on earth.  Updates will be listed on www.geojcarroll.com website.

In lieu of flowers, any memorial sent to one of these organizations would be very special:

The Lary & Michele Kuehn endowed Creative Arts scholarship - #338; benefiting students in any course of study –c/o NCTC Foundation, Debbie Sharp, VP @ North Central Texas College, 1525 California St., Gainesville, TX 76240.

North Texas Medical Center Foundation Heart of   NTMC; Campaign to purchase a Cardiac CT machine for the Hospital.

St. John’s Episcopal Church DOK Labyrinth Project, sent to PO Box 972, Pottsboro, TX  75076; Attn:  Rev. Dr. Marci Pounders.

Southwestern Diabetic Foundation, PO Box 918, Gainesville, TX 76241; for camper scholarships.

The American Cancer Society, P O Box 149275, Austin TX 78714-9275; for research into metastatic and genetic cancer transmission.

Or to your preferred charity.

Doctors couldn’t decide why a man so fit as a fiddle hurt in so many places until he was gone.  RIP my love.  May Light Perpetual Shine Upon You.