James Chester Kukula

James Chester Kukula

(Engineer. MacGyver of Everything. Family Legend.)

James Chester Kukula passed away suddenly on March 28, 2026, in Vail, Arizona; leaving behind a toolbox-sized void in the hearts of his family, friends, and anyone who ever handed him something broken and asked, “Can this be fixed?”

Born June 11, 1956, in Detroit, Michigan, Jim’s sudden passing has left many still shaking their heads and saying, “Jim would’ve fixed that.” He was a lifelong engineer and a proud “Jim-of-All-Trades.” He spent more than 30 years with General Motors before retiring in 2008—though “retirement” was never a word that truly fit him. He went on to work with Raytheon and then BE Aerospace; proving that stepping away from one role simply meant finding new problems to solve. With a master’s degree from Central Michigan University and a mind that never stopped working, Jim could spend a day tackling complex engineering challenges and still come home ready to take apart an engine “just to see what was wrong.”

If something was broken, Jim could fix it—cars, motorcycles, boats, homes, or any mystery project that crossed his path. As a kid, he built his own motorbike from scraps, setting the tone for a lifetime defined by curiosity and capability. He never met a challenge he couldn’t take on and rebuild better than before. And he never met a person he wouldn’t help. Whether you needed a repair, a solution, or simply someone to show up, Jim was there—tools in hand and a joke ready.

Jim was sociable and had a gift for making people laugh with his unique sense of humor. While he took pride in his professional accomplishments, what mattered most to him were the experiences he had and the people he loved. He found joy in traveling, tackling home projects that seemed to multiply endlessly, and, above all, in his family. He was a devoted husband, a dedicated father, and a proud grandfather.

Jim is survived by his wife, Felicia Kukula (Chlebnik); their daughter, Lisa Kukula, and her partner, Matthew Beach, along with their sons, Elliott and Easton. Additionally their son, Michael Kukula, and his son, Cole Huber. His grandchildren brought him endless joy and gave him new reasons to smile, laugh, and—often—offer a bit of well-intentioned, unsolicited advice.

Jim is also survived by his siblings, John (Paulette) Kukula and Joyce Hicks; his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Joseph Chlebnik, Gayle Gianino, Nancy Chlebnik; and a large extended family who loved him dearly and deeply. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Vera Kukula; sister-in-law, Valentine Chlebnik; and brothers-in-law, John Chlebnik, Stanley Chlebnik, and Cliff Hicks.

Beyond his family, Jim leaves behind a wide circle of people who were family in every way that mattered—boating friends, Coyote Creek neighbors, former colleagues, and countless others who knew they could always count on him. Stories of his kindness, generosity, and quiet acts of help continue to surface, filling that toolbox-sized hole with laughter, gratitude, and love.

To know Jim was to know intelligence, humor, generosity, and a steady kindness that showed up exactly when it was needed. He wasn’t just an engineer—he was the person you called first, the one you trusted, and the one who made life work a little better for everyone around him.

Jim’s life was defined by hard work, laughter, love, and impeccably organized tools. Though his passing was sudden, the impact he made is lasting. He will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and forever loved—especially in those everyday moments when something breaks and someone can’t help but say, “I wish Jim were here.”

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date, with details to follow.