JULIA (JUDY) WILLIAMS KAHLA
1937-2017
On November 14, 2017, Judy Williams Kahla went home to be with her God and the treasured loved ones that had preceded her in death and who have prepared a reunion that has been in the making for seventy-nine years. Waiting to welcome her are her dance partner Harold Kahla, her son, Grady Wayne Kahla and her parents who taught her how to navigate through adversity without whining, Grady and Dell Williams. Judy was born at home on December 8, 1936 in Angelina County, Texas. She is survived by her son, Byron Wade Kahla, two grandchildren, Julia Nicole Kahla and Paden Wade Kahla, one sister, Gradene (Gradi) Hamman, and a host of nieces and nephews including a most entrusted confidant, Julie Kahla. She also leaves behind a very special family of educators and a community of students who share her passion for teaching and lifelong learning.
Judy’s passions for learning began when (during her recovery from polio), with no whining, she was launched into a world of books that forever crystallized her love of learning. That learning and instructional leadership lead to high school classrooms in Lamar Consolidated HS, Hardin-Jefferson HS, Waltrip HS and Cypress Fairbanks ISD. There, in Staff Development, she designed and facilitated instructional programs that would impact each and every classroom within the district. In October, 2005, Julia Williams Kahla Middle School was named for her and dedicated to recognized and honor the role she played in the academic growth of the district. Reminding us of the places passion takes us.
Coupled with her husband’s love of “projects”, she learned to waltz, tell the difference between breeds of cattle, feed herds of cattle with a “cube dude” (without ever getting out of the pick-up truck), cultivate a garden, nurture and hatch ducklings, and fish. Many of his passions became hers. With his passing two years ago, another of her Dad’s and Harold’s projects tapped into her passion for learning. She stepped from the classroom into the boardroom of United Galvanizing as its CEO, Judy was now challenged to learn the art of hot dip galvanizing. Without whining, she accepted the challenge.
With your passing, family, an incredible group of friends and a community of students spread across the country say “thank you for sharing your passions and mantra of no whining with us. Now find Harold and ask him to Dance Across Texas with you!”
Visitation will be Saturday, November 18th from 6:008:00, Service on Sunday, November 19th at 2:00 At Klein Funeral Home in Tomball.