John Kunkel, Sr.

John Wesley Kunkel, Sr., age 72, of Little Rock, Arkansas, won his battle against Parkinson's on August 7, 2021, surrounded by his wife and children.

John was born in Little Rock, AR, on September 18, 1948. He graduated from LR Central High School in 1966 and the University of Central Arkansas in 1971 with a B.S. in Accounting.

The Kunkels raised their three children in Conway, where they were charter members of Woodland Heights Baptist Church. When returning to Little Rock in 2010, they joined the fellowship at Immanuel Baptist Church.

His first position after graduation was for State Legislative Audit. Following a move to Conway in 1977, he worked at Ott Longing Real Estate but returned as a state employee working for the State Budget Office and Department of Fiscal and Administrative Services at the Department of Education. He made lifelong friends along the way and retired in 2012.

John loved trout fishing and camping in Arkansas, soft-serve ice cream, roller coasters, and planning vacations across the country for his family.

He leaves behind a loving family, his wife of 52 years, Suzanne Vining Kunkel; daughter, Kari Kunkel Anderson (Brent) of Leesburg, VA; son, John Wesley Kunkel, Jr. of Little Rock; and daughter, Kelly Kunkel Orr (Tony) of Hot Springs. His six grandchildren adored their "Biggie," Clayton Thomas Anderson, Amelia Suzanne Anderson, Jillian Claire Orr, John Chancellor Orr, James Paul Anderson, and Carolyn Grace Anderson Rivera.

His cousin, Martha Kay Bailey McMillen (Donnie) of Greenbrier was like a sister, and cousin Catherine Ditamore of Little Rock was also very special. Being an only child, his wife's family was dear to him. Father-in-law, Don Vining, Sr., sisters-in-law, Kathy Vining DeLone (Herb), Vicky Vining Crawley (Ron), Cheri Vining Hayes (Ray), brother-in-law, Don Vining, Jr., and an abundance of nieces and nephews all looked up to him.

The family is incredibly grateful for the loving care of his caregiver of 4 years, Curtis Felps. With his assistance, John was able to remain at home as his Parkinson's progressed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer Wesley and Delia Bailey Kunkel, his beloved mother-in-law, Peggy Caudle Vining, and a special cousin, Nancy Bailey Langston.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 14, 2021, at 10 a.m. in the Immanuel Baptist Church Chapel, with visitation to follow. A private family inurnment will take place at Roselawn Cemetery in Little Rock at a different time.

Because of John's love of trout fishing, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in his memory to "Friends of the Norfork National Fish Hatchery", 1414 State Hwy 177,  Mountain Home, AR 72653, www.norforkhatcheryfriends.org or The Parkinson's Research Program at UAMS, UAMS Department of Neurology, 4301 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205.