Gerald Lee "Jerry"

Kunkle

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IN LOVING MEMORY

Gerald Lee "Jerry" Kunkle

Feb 14 1938 - Feb 13 2015

Gerald Lee ”Jerry” Kunkle, age 76, of Anna, Texas, passed away February 13, 2015, in McKinney, Texas. Jerry was born February 14, 1938, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Benjamin and Helen (Auxier) Kunkle. He married Hannah Dungan on October 3, 1961.

In 1957,Jerry served in the U.S. Marine Corps for three years, stationed in Honolulu, playing football for the Corps and serving in the Military Police.  

In 1959, after his discharge, Jerry received a football scholarship from what is now the University of North Texas.

In 1962, Jerry was employed by Texas Power and Light Company. After a short stint with TP&L, Jerry was offered a position as a Deputy Sheriff  by then Sheriff J.S. (Red) Hand.  This position was offered to him based on his military background.  Jerry became dedicated to the poisiton and was promoted to Chief Deputy by Sheriff Hand and remained Chief until the Sheriff retired.

In 1968,  Jerry was given the opportunity to be manager of KYAL, the local county radio station owned by D.W. Morton. Later he became manager of all the K Country stations in Texas and Utah.

In 1971,newly appointed 199th District Judge Tom Ryan asked Jerry to be Collin County Adult Probation Officer, which he accepted, but later Jerry transitioned back as Chief Deputy for then elected Sheriff George Smith. After Sheriff Smith resigned his position, Jerry started his Private Investigating business and also owned Northwood Shell in McKinney.

As Collin County began to grow, precincts and boundaries for elected officials changed and Jerry was appointed by the Collin County Commissioner’s Court to be Constable of Precinct 1 - Elected with only two contested elections until his retirement in 2008. In this elected position, Jerry served as State President of the Justice of the Peace and Constable’s Associates of Texas, he received Texas Constable of the Year in 1993,  and was honored with the Association’s TA Vines award for excellence. Jerry also lobbied for the Association for 16 years and served as their representative on the Texas Association of Counties Board.

Jerry enjoyed his position as Constable and was passionate about giving the best service to the citizens of Collin County. Although he expected strong work ethics, he loved his staff and considered them family and likewise were their feelings for him.  He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the McKinney and Melissa Masonic Lodges.

Jerry will be remembered as a people person, making others laugh and for his unsinkable courage with his health issues these past nine years.

He is survived by his wife, Hannah Kunkle of Anna, Texas; son, Mark Kunkle of Anna, Texas; daughter, Kimberly Kunkle of McKinney, Texas; son, Matt Kunkle of Anna, Texas; daughter, Keri Hardin of Allen, Texas, grandchildren, Mason Kunkle, Morgan Kunkle, Miles Kunkle, Mendel Kunkle, and Hayden Hardin; great-grandson, Hagen Kunkle; and step-father, Edward R. McGehee of Milford, Texas; aunt and uncle, Dixie and Frank Noland of St Joseph, Mo.; aunt Doris Lytton of Agency, Mo.; sister-in-law, Martha Love and numerous nieces and nephews and many other loving relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Avalon Dungan.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 20, 2015, at First Christian Church in McKinney, Texas with Dr. Neill Grimes officiating. The family will greet visitors at a reception immediately following the service in the Discipleship Center at the church.

Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church, Capital Campaign Fund, 1800 W. Hunt St., McKinney, Texas, 75069.

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Memorials

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