Obituary of Juris G. Draguns

Juris George Draguns was born in Riga, Latvia on April 8, 1932. His mother, Sophie, was a physician and his father, Juris, was a government official. By the time he was 7, World War II had begun, with both the Soviet Union and Germany vying for control of Latvia. Tragically, Juris's early life was scarred by the death of his father, who fought for an independent Latvia, and forced relocation when the country was annexed by the Soviet Union.

Following a period in Europe, Juris immigrated to the United States in the early 1950s to begin a fruitful academic career. He completed his undergraduate studies at Utica College in New York, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. In 1962 he received his PhD in Psychology from University of Rochester and married Marie Gubaroff, a talented artist and interior designer. He and Marie began their family with the birth of their daughter, Julie, in 1964, followed by their son, George, in 1969.

Juris's professional practice began at Worcester State Hospital in Massachusetts and, in 1967, he launched a long and productive career at Penn State University. A noted expert in cross-cultural psychology, Juris taught and published until his retirement in 1997. In 2014, Juris and Marie moved to Foxdale Village in State College, Pennsylvania.

He died on January 17, 2023 from complications of Covid-19. Juris is survived by his wife, Marie Draguns, and his children, Julie and George.

Visitation will be from 9 until 10 a.m., on Monday, January 23, 2023 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 South Atherton Street, State College. Funeral service will follow at 10 a.m., at the funeral home, with Father Ignatius Hunter officiating.

Burial will be in Boalsburg Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Razom "together" for Ukraine by visiting https://www.razomforukraine.org/

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences may be made at www.kochfuneralhome.com.