Alton E. Kunkel

In Loving Memory of
Alton (Jim) Earl Kunkel
1927 - 2013
Alton (Jim) Kunkel was taken to live in eternity with his Lord and Savior on January 11, 2013.
Alton Earl Kunkel entered this world on November 26, 1927 in Hamilton County, Texas, the oldest of eight children born to Alvin and Ida Kunkel. The Lord adopted Alton into his family through Baptism and confirmed in the Christian faith on at St. John's Lutheran Church in Aleman, Texas.
Aunts and uncles introduced him to Lenora Kunkel at St John's Lutheran in Dumas, Texas. They were married on November 26, 1949, after a three month courtship. During their 60 years of marriage, the Lord showered them with blessings. They lived in Germany for sixteen months while Alton served in the Army. After leaving the service, they lived in the Texas Panhandle. In 1960, the family moved to Nevada to homestead. Later, they moved to Floydada, Texas before moving to Colorado in 1973. The Lord blessed their union with three children: Jimmy, Karin, and Dewayne. Alton always enjoyed being involved with his children and their 4-H horse shows and events as well as cheering the boys on at football games.
Alton was active in each of the Christian congregations to which he belonged. While in Nevada, he and Lenora started a Christian Sunday School in the community of Orovada and arranged for church services in the small community hall. He was a charter member of Zion Lutheran in Winnemucca, Nevada, where the Kunkels helped build the church. One of the family's fond memories is during the fifty mile drive home from church, their dad would sign hymns and old cowboy songs. Alton and Lenora joined Zion Lutheran in Denver in January, 1976. Alton was active in many areas at Zion, including serving as a Trustee on the Board of Education.
After many years of sustaining him in his faith, the Lord took Alton to his heavenly home on January 11, 2013. Alton's body was cremated and will be interred with Lenora at Fort Logan Cemetery.
Alton was proceed in death by his wife, Lenora, his parents and brother Clifton. He is survived by his three children: Jimmy, Karin and Dewayne; three grandchildren: Eric, Suzanne and Joshua; two greatgrandchildren: Ekaterina and Hanna; and six brothers and sisters: Jesse (Garda), Vergil (Sarah), Dennis, Gladys, Martin (Carolyn) and Sarah (Jim).
Memorials in Alton's name may be directed to WELS Mission Fund; Zion Lutheran's Scholarship Fund; or a miltary verteran's organization of the giver's choice.