Dennis Ray Gunkel

Dennis Ray Gunkel, 66 of Amarillo passed away February 2, 2013. Celebrate his life at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 9th at Trinity Fellowship Church West Sanctuary, 5000 Hollywood Road. Arrangements by Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 6969 I-40 East. Born January 14, 1947 in Webb City. Mo. raised in McClave and Lamar Co. Married LaVada Kaye Roberson June 9, 1978. Served on USS Yorktown CVS10 during VietNam crises. Awarded Vietnam Service Medal with two stars, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device. A cowboy by heart and a truck driver by profession. Employed as OTR driver for Levi Strauss & Co. for 13 years and drove over a million accident free miles. Employed at Wal-Mart Distribution in Plainview, 27 years and drove over 3 million accident free miles. Dennis was the patriarch of the family. The rock that we leaned on, and sometimes smashed our selves against. He was the weight that kept our patch-work tapestry in place. To his family, Dennis was devoted. To his friends, he gave loyalty and generosity without measure.

He was preceded in death by Mother, Ruby Hostetler Thompson, Father Loyd Gunkel, sister Connie McAnear. Dennis is survived by wife, Kaye, daughter Shiloh and husband Michael Hund, son Shannon Davis and wife Pam. Brothers, Max Gunkel and wife Lida of Amarillo, E.W. Gunkel and wife Carolyn of Ruidoso, NM., Glen Gunkel of Cumming, Georgia, Sisters Carol Jones and husband Herb, and Cathie Gunkel of Amarillo. Grand- daughter Shanna Gray and husband Mason, Grandsons, Tyler Ray Davis and (Joshua Matthew Hund due in June), Grand-daughter Kasi Hund and great-grand-daughter Ellie Gray. Many special nieces and nephews, and side-kick, Rowdy.