John Zuniga

John Zuniga, age 55 of Phoenix, AZ, passed away unexpectedly on December 24, 2023. John was born on July 2, 1968, to Ralph M. Zuniga and Beatrice Herrera in KCMO. John is a graduate of St. Agnes Catholic School (Roeland Park, KS) and Shawnee Mission North High School (Shawnee Mission, KS 1987). He studied psychology at the University of Kansas. John was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and was a Rock Chalk Revue Director (winning multiple awards including Overall Show) and he was a member of the KU Wrestling Club. John is a forever Jayhawk!

After graduating with a degree in psychology from Colorado State University, he was an Account Executive for Universal Underwriters / Zurich kickstarting his career in insurance which he circled back to after a change of career from 15 years in the Oil and Gas industry. John most recently was a claims adjuster for Sedgwick in Phoenix, AZ.

In 1995, John married former spouse, Suzanne Regan in KCMO. John and Suzanne went on to have 2 beautiful daughters, Lily Zuniga and Sophie Fulkerson (Bob Fulkerson) whom they raised together in Colorado Springs, CO. John and Suzanne later moved with their daughters to Houston, TX. He most recently resided in Phoenix, AZ for the past 3 years where he fell in love and married his current wife Maggie.

Through the years John enjoyed mountain biking, cycling, and running. John valued his family and friends and made every effort to stay in touch. He had a gift to make everyone around him laugh and feel special. His proudest accomplishment was his daughters. He was an avid reader, loved music and enjoyed promoting his daughter Sophie’s musical talents and his daughter Lily’s gift of fashion design. He was inclusive to all and didn’t know a stranger. Everyone loved John!

John had a passion for running and participated in various charity races throughout the country including the Pikes Peak Ascent Marathon. He was notorious for running a marathon without much training and finishing with a smile on his face and a joke to make everyone laugh, especially when participants twice his age finished in front of him! John was a 3-time participant of the MS 150, another one of his favorite events. John loved animals, nature and riding his bike in the Colorado Mountains. When John moved to Arizona in 2020 he loved to ride multiple mountains in Phoenix, AZ clocking over 877 miles this year.

John is survived by his current wife of 3 years, Maggie; his former wife Suzanne Regan and their 2 daughters Sophie Fulkerson (husband Bob) and Lily. He is also survived by his mother Beatrice Rodriguez and his siblings Ralph Zuniga (wife Bridget, children Alexis, Austin, Blake and Baily) and Bebee Schloegel (husband Matt, children Mia, Elle, Sarah and Josie). John was blessed to have 30 aunts and uncles and over 100 first and second cousins, all of whom he loved! He grew up with his Aunt Linda Lopez Khan and her 2 sons David Lopez (wife Shauna, children Ariana and Elena) and Raymond Lopez living on the same block in Fairway, KS. Most recently while residing in Phoenix, AZ he loved to spend time with his cousin Sabrina Khan. John is preceded in death by his dad Ralph M. Zuniga and Stepfather Pete Rodriguez and his grandparents John and Ruby Zuniga and Ezequiel and Maria Herrera.

A “Celebration of Life & Memorial Service” will be held at the Church of Nativity (3800 W. 119th St. Leawood, KS 66209) on January 5th, 2024 at 11 AM. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.