He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Muriel Kunkel; one son Dr. Jim Kunkel of Atlanta, Texas, and his fiancee; Franda Raney; three daughters, Jane Carpenter, Dr. Jean Kunkel Thomas and husband Allan and Julie Patterson and husband Mark; six grandchildren: Emily Carpenter, Graeme, Gabriel, and Eli Thomas, Hannah and Conner Patterson all of Texarkana; one brother Roland Kunkel and his wife Ruth; three nephews: Gaylen Oppel, Ron and Norman Kunkel, nieces Nancy and Glenna Kunkel, one great grandniece, Emma Kunkel, and a special daughter and son-in-law Bev and Don Schrader.

Doc was born on September 9, 1928, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, son of William Churchill and Jeanette (Seiglar) Kunkel. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1946-1948. After receiving his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Oklahoma State University in 1955, he practiced veterinary medicine in Manning, Iowa, before moving to Texarkana, Texas, in 1968. He retired from private practice in 1998.

Doc Kunkel was an active member of First Lutheran Church where he served as President of the congregation and Elder for many years. He also served on the board of Directors for Lutheran Social Services of Texas, Lutheran Outdoor Ministries and Board of Directors of Texas District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. He was involved with the Boy Scouts of America for many years. He was also a member of the Optimist Club. Doc enjoyed traveling with his wife, hunting, and fishing. Opa lived for his grandchildren. He will be remembered as a very compassionate, giving person with a keen sense of humor and will be sorely missed by everyone. Visitation will be Tues., November 19 from 5-8 p.m. at his family home at 130 Skylark Dr. in Texarkana. The memorial service will be at First Lutheran Church 4600 Texas Blvd., Texarkana, Texas at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 20 with Reverends Curtis Schneider and Wayne Braun officiating.

Memorials may be made to: Alaska Mission Committee, 8100 Arctic Blvd. Anchorage, Aklaska 99518; First Lutheran Church, 4600 Texas Blvd., Texarkana, TX 75503; Texarkana Humane Society, P.O. Box 3001, Texarkana, USA 75504.
Arrangements by Texarkana Funeral Home.

Manning Family Moves to Texas
Manning Monitor July 1968
Dr. and Mrs. Merlin Kunkel and family have moved to Texarkana, Texas. Their residence in Manning has been purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Leo Blum.