John Parker Kurlinski, M.D.

John Parker Kurlinski, M.D., known affectionately as “Kurli” to all who knew him, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 74 in his beloved second home of Big Sky, Montana.

Kurli was born January 17, 1948 in Buckhannon, West Virginia to parents John Peter Kurlinski and Jean Holloway Kurlinski who preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years Claire Sawyer Kurlinski, of Las Vegas, Nevada and Big Sky, Montana; son Joshua John Kurlinski and his wife Heather Harvey Kurlinski, and their sons Oliver William Kurlinski and Griffin James Kurlinski of McKinney, Texas; son Ryan Edward Kurlinski and his wife Maria Drinane Kurlinski and their children Cole John Kurlinski, Kellen James Kurlinski, and Kate Drinane Kurlinski of Folsom, California; and son Seth Parker Kurlinski and his wife Laura Ann Kurlinski and their daughter Parker Sage Kurlinski.

Kurli had many hobbies and interests throughout his life. He enjoyed spending time outside playing rugby, skiing, hiking, camping, and boating. There was nothing Kurli enjoyed more, though, than enjoying good food and conversation with his family and friends. Whether it was a casual barbecue at home or dining in the finest restaurants that Las Vegas has to offer, every meal with Kurli was an event.

After earning his undergraduate degree from Williams College in 1970, Kurli went on to earn a Doctor of Medicine degree from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 1974 where he also completed his residency in pediatrics. He discovered his love for caring for the most medically fragile children and went to the University of California San Diego Medical Center to complete a Fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine. Following the successful completion of his fellowship in San Diego, Dr. Kurlinski returned to Johns Hopkins School of Medicine to serve as Chief Resident, Pediatrics until 1980.

Dr. Kurlinski moved to Las Vegas in 1980 as part of the initial group of pediatricians who established the neonatal unit at Sunrise Hospital. During his nearly 50-year medical career in southern Nevada, Dr. Kurlinski held many leadership roles including Chief of Staff of Sunrise Children’s Hospital, Director of Neonatology, Sunrise Hospital, and Clinical Associate Professor Pediatrics, U. Nevada School of Medicine.

Dr. Kurlinski held medical licenses in California, Nevada, and Maryland and was a member of the American Board of Pediatrics, the American Board of Pediatrics Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, and the American Medical Association. He was also listed as a Noteworthy Physician by Marquis Who’s Who and was a member of the Nevada Medical-Legal Screening Panel since 1986.  

In addition to his numerous professional achievements, Dr. Kurlinski supported many nonprofit organizations in southern Nevada by donating his time, talent, and resources. In 1993, he co-founded the Sunrise Children’s Foundation with his longtime friend and colleague Ann Lynch and served as its first Chairman of the Board and served on the board until his death. Dr. Kurlinski also served on the Board of directors of the Southern Nevada chapter of the March of Dimes and founded the Nurse of the Year Award, which recognizes the contributions of a neonatal nurse and is still awarded annually. He was also instrumental in bringing Ronald McDonald House to southern Nevada.

After retiring in 2007, Dr. Kurlinski dedicated more of his time to his philanthropic endeavors and was active on the boards of East Valley Family Services, a nonprofit providing support for families in need and The Public Education Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting teachers, parents, and students in public education.

Services will be private and the family requests that donations please be made in Dr. Kurlinski’s honor in lieu of flowers to Sunrise Children’s Foundation (https://sunrisechildren.org/donate) or East Valley Family Services (https://eastvalleyfamilyservices.org/cart).