Gerald David Kunkle

Gerald David Kunkle, CLU, known to everybody as “Jake” or “Jerry”, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, November 29, 2013. He was born December 26, 1924 at Rock, Kansas. He was the seventh child and youngest boy born to Harry Clyde Kunkle and Elsie (McDaniel) Kunkle. Jerry had four brothers and three sisters. He grew up in Rock and graduated from Douglas High School in 1944. Jerry was a very talented athlete. He played baseball for the Maurer Neuer Packers with his brothers, Barney and Mike, and in 1945, left to play semi-pro baseball in North Carolina for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was also an avid golfer all of his life, having made six hole in ones and was a past winner of the State Senior Golf championship. In 1950, he entered the Army and served his time in Germany. In 1953, Jerry moved to Houston, Texas to attend the Houston Business College. After graduation, he became an advertising agent and traveled extensively. It was in Dallas, Texas that he met and married Phylis (Darnell) Kunkle on December 26, 1954. She has been his constant companion, friend and caregiver in life for 58 years. In 1955, they moved to Wichita where Jerry worked for Security Mutual Life Insurance Company. Later, he started his own insurance agency called Jerry Kunkle CLU and Associates. Most of his clients became lifelong friends. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Bob, Barney, Mike and Virgil, and sisters, Mary and Vadna. Survivors include his wife, Phylis, of the home; his constant companion, Lady, their Doberman dog; sister, Marcella Cannon; a host of nieces and nephews, and close friends that were like family to him. Memorial service, 2 p.m., Friday, December 6 at Downing Lahey West.