Jesse H. Kunkel
April 23, 1932 – Sept. 11, 2025
Jesse Herman Kunkel, 93, of Concordia, Mo., fell asleep in the arms of Jesus Sept. 11, 2025, at the Good Shepherd Care Community in Concordia.
Born April 23, 1932, in Hamilton, Texas, he was the son of Alvin and Ida (Krueger) Kunkel. Jesse was baptized at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Aleman, Texas, June 5, 1932, and he confirmed his faith May 20, 1945, beginning a lifelong walk with his Savior. His faith was the cornerstone of his life, guiding his steps through every season.
Jesse was a 1949 graduate of Concordia College High School in Austin, Texas; he earned his bachelor of science degree in education and Lutheran teacher diploma from Concordia Teachers College, Seward, Neb., in 1956; his master of arts degree in education from Wichita State University in Wichita, Kans., in 1970. While at Concordia Teachers College, Jesse excelled in football and was a member of the 1951 Concordia Seward Football team which was inducted into the Concordia University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005. Jesse completed his student teaching at Trinity Lutheran School in Waltham, Minn. It was there that he met his future wife, Garda A. Clayton, of nearby Brownsdale, Minn. His teaching career took him to Corpus Christi, Texas; St. Paul, Minn. and Wichita, Kans., before accepting a call to St. Paul's College High School (SPCH) in Concordia, Mo., where he would serve from 1967 – 1986. During his time at SPCH, he served not only as a dedicated teacher but also as a visionary coach. He was instrumental in starting the school’s football program. Beyond the field, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Development Department, helping to shape the school’s future. To many students, he was more than an educator—he was a mentor, a guide, and a father figure whose influence extended far beyond the classroom.
Jesse was a devoted member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Concordia, where his faith guided both his personal and public life. His dedication to service extended into the heart of the Concordia community, where he was a member of the Concordia Civic Club and the Concordia Lions Club.
Survivors include one daughter, Paula Hass of Concordia; three sons, Jeffrey Kunkel and wife Ruth of Lee’s Summit, Mo., Bradley Kunkel and wife Mary of Liberty, Mo., and Kent Kunkel and wife Jennifer of Concordia; 12 grandchildren: Blake (Kelsey) Hasselbring, Jessica (Mitchell) Ransburg, Hope (Kaylon) Jones, Luke Kunkel, Ryan (Katelyn) Muchowski, Kristen (Michael) Hale, Benjamin Kunkel, Josiah and Ryan Kunkel, Dobrivoj (Chloe) Andrejic, Amen and Dena Cherkose; 11 great-grandchildren: Hugh and Lyda Hasselbring, Elijah and Parker Ransburg, London Jones, Adrian, Michelle, Isaac and Emma Hale, Cash and Vivian Muchowski; one brother, Martin (Joyce) Kunkel of Hamilton, Texas; and one sister, Sarah (Jim) Fowler of Golden, Colo.
Jesse was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Garda; one son, Gregory; one son-in-law, Bruce Hass; one sister-in-law, Carlyn; four brothers, Alton, Clifton, Vergil, Dennis; and one sister, Gladys.
Funeral Services were held Sept. 18, 2025, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Concordia, Mo. Burial followed in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to Saint Paul Lutheran High School – For All His Saints Endowment or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church – Fount of Every Blessing Endowment.