Friends and family say John Parker Kuhn was a man of steady rhythms, quiet strength and unwavering devotion to those he loved.

It was clear in his care and commitment to his wife, Grace, and their 17-month-old daughter, Charlotte (Lottie). It was evidenced in his dedication to Clayton & Crume (asi/45352), the supplier where he worked his entire career – in the strong bonds he built with customers and team members alike.

John Parker Kuhn, Clayton & Crume (asi/45352)

Those who knew Kuhn say they’ll remember him in this positive light, carrying with them the impact he had on their lives in cherished memory. Kuhn, who went by Parker, recently passed away at age 31 from adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare but aggressive cancer that attacks the adrenal glands.

“Parker was a kind, loving and tender soul,” his obituary read. “His calming presence was a steady anchor to those lucky enough to know him. He cared deeply about his family and his friends. Whether through a thoughtful word, a warm smile or simply showing up when it mattered, Parker had a way of making people feel seen and loved.”

Kuhn was vice president of sales and business development at Clayton & Crume, a Louisville, KY-based company that makes what it describes as a range of heirloom-quality leather goods.

A native of Lexington, KY, Kuhn unwittingly helped launch the company. While attending Western Kentucky University, he placed a $500 order for belts from the company for his pledge class – back before Clayton & Crume even had an official name, business license or website.

“That $500 bought our first sewing machine, an industrial motor upgrade and our materials that we used to start prototyping,” Tyler Jury, co-founder of Clayton & Crume, said in a reflection on LinkedIn. “Quite literally, he brought us the seed money we used to kick this whole thing off the ground.”

“Parker: We love you. We miss you. You deserved so, so much more. We’re all better having had you in our lives. Even if the time was far too short.” Tyler Jury, Clayton & Crume (asi/45352)

Impressed by Kuhn, Jury courted him to come work for Clayton & Crume following Kuhn’s graduation. Kuhn was initially hesitant, thinking he instead wanted to go into healthcare administration. Still, Jury made a good case for Clayton & Crume, and Kuhn came aboard.

It was a decision he never regretted, rising over the course of nearly nine years from wholesale account manager to director of sales and business development to the vice president’s position. Jury said Kuhn was an incredible colleague, friend and businessman to whom clients became friends.

“We’ll love him forever, and his legacy will live on in the fabric of C&C as long as this company is around,” Jury said. “I’ll cherish the moments I shared with him for the last decade – even those in the final moments as he was nearing the end of his fight.”

Outside work, an obituary stated that Kuhn found joy in life’s simplest pleasures: family beach vacations, a cold beer in hand and the comfort of the same favorite songs played on repeat. He was his best, the obituary said, when with his wife and daughter. Lottie carries Kuhn’s likeness and spirit, and “his memory will live on in her,” the obituary said.

“Parker’s life,” his obituary said, “was a reminder that gentleness is strength, kindness leaves a legacy and love – above all – endures.”

Family and friends held a celebration of life on April 27. The family asks that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to help support Charlotte’s education.

“Parker,” said Jury, “we love you. We miss you. You deserved so, so much more. We’re all better having had you in our lives. Even if the time was far too short.”