Loren Virgil (Little Red) Kautz

Loren Virgil (Little Red) Kautz went home to the Lord, April 18, 2023. He died at home with his wife Sharrel and family by his side. 

 He was born April 28, 1942 to Herman and Eldora Cox Kautz in Ontario, Ore. His parents later divorced. 

 When Virgil was four, his mother married Ray Grace. Virgil attended school in Weiser and Payette. 

 He grew up in a musical family and Ray encouraged him and brother, Jerry to learn to play music and sing, so at age 13 Virgil began playing bass fiddle. Later he went on to play drums and bass guitar. He and Jerry were very well known for many years throughout the valley for their music as the “Kautz Brothers,” including band members Wes Gilbert and Dennis Page.

 When Virgil was a teen he worked for Leo Marsters, training horses for racing. He was also a popular dance partner for the (jitter-bug) at PHS.

 Virgil joined the U.S. Air Force in 1960 and served four years, stationed in Sioux City, Iowa. He became a refrigeration specialist. When honorably discharged, he returned to Payette. 

 Virgil enjoyed playing golf, pool, fishing and hunting with Jerry. In 1986 he met and married the love of his life, Sharrel Carroll. They worked side by side on their farm in Fruitland. He had a natural green thumb for gardening and loved caring for all their animals.

 Virgil was preceded in death by his mother Eldora Grace, his stepfather Ray Grace, his biological father Herman Kautz, a step-son, Gregory Moss; his brothers, Randy Grace and Keith Kautz.

 Virgil is survived by his loving wife Sharrel of 37 years, his step-children, Larry Lake, Harold Carroll and Beulah Carroll; son Allen Ray Kautz, daughters; Brenda (Stacey) Stevens, LaNette (Aaron) Orebaugh and Laurie Manusak; brother, Jerry Kautz; sisters, Kathy (Walter) Garman, Jo (Ron) Shurtleff, and Shelley (Kautz) (Don) Anderson; 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and “many” friends.

 There will be a Celebration of Life on May 27, 2023 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Payette Senior Center in Payette, Idaho, beginning with a potluck (coffee, tea and water will be provided). At 2 p.m. sharp there will be U.S. military honors and program following. “There will be music!”