Clinton Joseph Kuzmich

Clinton Joseph Kuzmich, 76, of Midland Texas on August 17, 2026 died with family by his side. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, brother, uncle and loyal friend. He lost his battle with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s disease 8 years after his formal diagnosis.

Clint was born on October 28, 1949 in Princeton, Indiana to Mary Ann and Rudolph Kuzmich. He was reared in Mount Carmel, Illinois. Some of Clint’s favorite memories of growing up were his time on his grandfather’s farm and having lunch with his grandparents during high school. His grandfather taught Clint about saving money and investing. His grandparents had a coin purse for him to put his lunch money in. As soon as Clint had saved enough lunch money, his grandfather walked him up to the bank and he bought his very first stock.

Clint will be remembered as always being a man of honor and integrity. His wonderful dry sense of humor and quick wit will be missed by all who knew him. The summer before entering high school, he attended a Culver Military Academy Naval School in Indiana. During that session, his love of sailing began. Later in life, he would again pursue his passion for sailing with friends in the Gulf of Mexico and later in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin with friends and family.

He began high school at St John’s Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin. His time there confirmed for him the importance of the military regimen. He graduated from Mount Carmel High School in Mount Carmel, Illinois. In Clint’s sophomore year of college, Clint walked up to Louise during her first week at Loyola University of New Orleans and simply said, ”I love you.” After that, they did not speak again until they both were at the airport headed for a summer program in Mexico offered by Loyola. By the end of the summer “love was in the air” and Louise was on her way to meet Clint’s parents! They were married November 28, 1969. Their marriage was a true partnership, and they worked together to make a strong, healthy union. In the summer of 1970 their first child, Kathryn, was born. Before graduating Loyola, Clint joined the National Guard and was assigned to an Engineering Division. He proudly served for 6 years in that capacity and loved every minute of that time.

Soon after graduating from Loyola with a BS in Finance, Clint moved his family to Mount Carmel, Illinois. There Clint began both his service in the National Guard and worked at RK Petroleum, Corporation, a company that his father founded. His Dad insisted that Clint learn the business from the ground up. He spent a year watching wells in the Illinois corn fields and slept in his VW Beetle. He soon moved into the RK office and with his finance background was an asset to the company and to his geologist father. They made a successful team. While in Mt Carmel, Clint and Louise welcomed a son Claiborne and then a daughter Alison to their family.

In 1978, Clint moved his family to Midland, Texas to head up the RK Petroleum office there. Clint went on to have a very successful career in the petroleum industry. RK Petroleum is a family business and as it grew Clint made sure that the company served its family members well. His financial expertise and his loving care for his family proved beneficial for all the Kuzmich generations.

When Clint wasn’t at work he made spending time with his family a priority. As his children grew up and moved away from home, traveling to spend time with them and their families was always on his calendar. He loved his family and took great pride in them.  Purchasing Lonesome Oak Ranch in Brownwood, Mills County, Texas in 1983 became a place of retreat and fun for family and friends. He treasured teaching moments with his children and all of his grandchildren. He taught them gun safety, how to shoot a BB gun and then, finally, a rifle. They learned how to hunt and dress a deer. Holidays were special for his family as well as extended family at the ranch. In later years, Clint discovered a talent for woodworking and put a woodworking shop close to the ranch house. Many of his family members benefited from one of his creations. Being with his family was the most important and enjoyable thing in his life.

Clint loved serving the Lord as a Eucharistic Minister at St Stephen’s Catholic Church and was involved in starting a couples evening Bible Study. Helping support some of the nuns of West Texas was a practice Clint followed. He remarked that he hoped helping the nuns in Texas made up for how much trouble he was to the nuns in Illinois growing up! The Church teaches generosity and Clint was generous with giving of his time and resources to those in need. During the years in Midland, Clint also served on many boards, including COM Aquatic Center, Trinity Episcopal School, Commercial Bank of Midland and the YMCA.

He had a passion for cars and went to many Formula 1 races. He loved talking and reading about cars. Whether well or sick Clint would greet friends and family with a huge, beautiful smile. Toward the end of his life, Lewy Body Dementia robbed him of even that beautiful smile everyone enjoyed so much.

Clint is remembered by his wife, Louise of 56 years. He is also remembered by his children: Kathryn and Christopher LeMieux, Claiborne Kuzmich, Alison and Mark Vander Ley. The most special blessing in his life over the last couple of decades has been the gift of his grandchildren: Mary Louise, Isabella, Charlotte LeMieux and Hutson, Harrison, Isaac, Anna Vander Ley. He is survived by his sister Berkley Kuzmich, brother Tom Kuzmich, brother Stephen Kuzmich (Jennifer), and sister-in law Elizabeth Kuzmich. Also surviving him are Louise’s siblings: Therese Trapolin, Jeanne Kuehn (Fritz), sister-in-law Leah Tubbs, Miles Trapolin (Lili LeGardeur), Kathleen Barbee (Jim), Charles Trapolin (Stanley Morse), Edward Trapolin (Deidra), and Neil Trapolin. There are many Kuzmich and Trapolin nieces and nephews surviving him.

He was preceded in death by his parents Mary Ann and Rudolph Kuzmich and his brother John Kuzmich. Also preceding him in death are his in-laws Mary Jane and Ivor Trapolin and brother-in-law Peter Trapolin.

Honorary Pall Bearers are: Walter Dueease, Tom Craddick, Carty Beal, Miles Trapolin, Fritz Kuehn, Bud West and Jim Barbee.

Clint’s family would like to thank the many wonderful caregivers with Legacy Ranch Memory Care, Manor Park Cowden Cottage and Hospice Midland for their care. The family extends a special note of gratitude to the Manor Park Cowden Cottage Staff for the loving care he received at the end of this journey.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle and Welch Funeral Home. The funeral will be held be at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Midland Texas at 1906 West Texas Avenue.

In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial to: The Lewy Body Association, 912 Killian Hill Road S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047, Hospice Midland, 911 Texas Ave, Midland, TX 79701 or Manor Park Cowden Cottage 5212 Sinclair Ave, Midland, TX 79707

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made to www.npwelch.com.

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