Ezekiel (Zeke) Allen Kuehn was born in Joplin MO on June 9th, 1988. He passed away in Fair Grove MO August 21st, 2020. Zeke is survived by his wife and best friend Tiffany, daughter Emma (6) and “mini-me” son Hudson (3); parents Brian and Cheryl, and sister Courtney. He is also survived by amazing family, friends who are like family, and friends he hadn’t made yet.

To know Zeke was to know a humble man who fiercely loved his family. He would do anything to support them and help them find happiness. Tiffany describes Zeke as her biggest fan. “He made me brave, he made me laugh, he made me strong, he made me so much better, and he will continue to do so as I carry on our dreams. He is the love of my life.” His kids were and will forever be his greatest joy and accomplishment. Zeke loved them with everything he had and he will live on forever in them.

Zeke was a man of so many talents, but was always ready to learn something new. He loved to read and hear new ideas that he could then share with others to make the world around him better. Graduating from Missouri State University, Zeke earned both his B.S in Environmental Science and his Masters Degree in Geospatial Science. He used these degrees to build a successful stream and wetland habitat restoration business. He enjoyed teaching others about his passions and finding ways to share his strengths. He was a helper, and loved to serve others. He was the first to jump in when anyone needed help. If he didn’t know how to do something, he’d figure it out and make it work through his resilience. Many of the dreams he and Tiffany had were successfully and abundantly achieved that way. Zeke had the gift of humor, and a joy that he shared freely. He always knew how to make anyone laugh and could lighten any situation by doing so. He brightened up a room the minute he was in it, even if that room was outside.

Zeke had a deep love for his friends and for being in nature, and you’d find him at his happiest when he was able to find any excuse to combine the two. He was always up for a good adventure, no matter how crazy… His laugh was contagious, and he has a special ability to find joy even in the smallest things. Zeke could always start a party, all he needed was himself and one other person. He loved to dance and sing louder than the music playing around him. He had an ornery smile that carried through to his kids. He left a legacy of a deep and sincere love for life, people, and for God’s creation that won’t ever be matched; but that legacy will live on through his kids, his family and friends, and through the countless lives he impacted.

Though Zeke’s passing happened so much sooner than we would have ever imagined, this quote from Robin Williams captures his love of life and adventurous spirit, “To die would be a grand adventure.”

Zeke – May you rest high in Heaven knowing the magnitude of the impact you continue to have. The family and friends you left love you to the moon and back 7 times, now and always.

Visitation will be held from 4-7pm on Thursday, August 27th at Greenlawn Funeral Home East (3540 E. Seminole, Springfield, MO 65809) with a private family memorial service to be held on Friday morning, August 28.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested any gifts in Zeke’s memory to go to Hudson and Emma to be split for future awesome adventures (Donate here: Zeke’s Adventurers Club), or charitable donations be made to two organizations that were close to Zeke’s heart: Dogwood Ranch and Watershed Committee of the Ozarks.