Jesse Herman Kunkel, 93, of Concordia, MO, fell asleep in the arms of Jesus on September 11, 2025, at the Good Shepherd Care Community in Concordia.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 18, 2025, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Concordia. Burial will follow in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at the church. 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 in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com.
Born April 23, 1932, in Hamilton, TX, he was the son of Alvin and Ida (Krueger) Kunkel. Jesse was washed in the waters of Holy Baptism at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Aleman, TX, on June 5, 1932, and he confirmed his faith on 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 in Austin, TX; he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and Lutheran Teacher Diploma from Concordia Teacher’s College, Seward, NE, in 1956; his Master of Arts Degree in Education from Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, in 1970. While at Concordia Teacher’s 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 did his student teaching at Trinity Lutheran School, Waltham, MN. It was there that he met his future wife, Garda A. Clayton of nearby Brownsdale, MN. His teaching career took him to Corpus Christi, TX, St. Paul, MN and Wichita, KS, before accepting a call to St. Paul College High (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.
He remained active in the Development field until 1988, serving at the Dakota Boys Ranch in Minot, ND. In the years that followed, Jesse continued to work part-time at the Kretschmar processing plant in Concordia, and later at Wal-Mart in Warrensburg. He officially retired in 2011, closing a chapter marked by hard work, service, and quiet dedication.
Throughout his life, Jesse found joy in gardening, hunting, and fishing—activities that not only brought him peace but also connected him to those around him. He especially loved sharing his knowledge of these hobbies with others, passing down tips and traditions to his children and grandchildren with patience and pride. Jesse’s generosity extended beyond the outdoors; he was always eager to share his faith in Jesus with anyone who crossed his path. Whether through heartfelt conversations, invitations to church, or offering a Portals of Prayer devotional book, Jesse never missed an opportunity to plant seeds of the hope and encouragement found in Jesus.
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, TX; and one sister, Sarah (Jim) Fowler of Golden, CO.
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.