Russell Kunkel

Russell Duane Kunkel went to be with Jesus January 9, 2025. He is now free from the cruelty of Dementia that he endured for 8 years.

Russ was born June 5, 1944, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After High School he attended a computer programming trade school in Omaha, Nebraska. He moved to Ft. Worth, Texas in 1969 to take a job as a programmer analyst. In 1977 he was transferred to the branch office of CCS in Waco, Texas where he met Kathy, his wife of 46 years. They were married on February 18, 1978. In 1979 Russ, Kathy and his son Troy moved to Ft Worth where Russ took a job with TESCO. In 1987 Russ, Kathy and their two children moved to Grandview, TX. In 2009 Russ retired from TU Electric/Hewitt and Associates.

Russ loved working with kids. He was a Cub Scout leader in Grandview. Then the family became involved in 4-H. Russ also volunteered with the AWANA program at Cleburne Bible Church. After many years with AWANA he and Kathy started volunteering with Student Ministries at CBC. During this time Russ also started helping kids get their dairy cattle ready to show for 4-H and FFA. He hauled kids and cows all over the state of Texas for various shows. Russ also served on the Johnson County Livestock Board for several years. He loved gardening, camping, hunting, fishing, and cooking countless briskets for many different events. His favorite vacation spot was Port Aransas. He loved sitting on the beach and deep-sea fishing. Russ started going there before he met Kathy and they continued going almost every summer their entire marriage.

In 2004 he and Kathy started volunteering with Epiphany Ministries of Texas, a program that takes the love of Jesus to incarcerated teenagers. Russ also started volunteering with Kairos, the adult version of Epiphany. He served on the National Board of Discover God's Call for several years. Russ was very bold in sharing the gospel message. It was very important to him for people to know that Jesus was for everyone. In 2011 Russ and Kathy began volunteering again with Student Ministries at CBC. Russ continued this until his health wouldn't allow him to do so anymore.

Russ is preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Luella Kunkel, his sister Beverly, and his son Troy. He is survived by his wife Kathy; daughter-in-law Deneen Mack; son Kris, his wife Kimberlee and their two children Dean and Paisley; daughter Kristal, her husband Ricky and their two children Rylee and Kyler; his sister Nila, brother Rodney and his wife Ruth; sister-in-law Karol Kuehl.

Memorial service will be January 18, 2025 at Cleburne Bible Church, 930 N. Nolan River Road, Cleburne, TX 76033. Visitation will be at 10am with the service following at 11am. Live Streaming will be available. https://www.cleburnebible.org/live-stream/

Memorials can be made to Cleburne Bible Church Student Ministries so kids can experience mission trips. Cleburne Bible Church, P O Box 1522, Cleburne, Texas 76033.