Herbert Joseph Kuntz Jr.

Herbert Joseph Kuntz Jr., age 80 and Sherry T Kuntz of Cropwell, passed away on April 15th and April 22nd respectively. He went peacefully at home with his family on April 15 after a courageous battle with cancer. She, passing after surgical complications from a fall.

Herb was preceded in death by his father, Herbert Joseph Kuntz Sr., mother Margaret (Peggy) Singleton Kuntz, and his beloved aunt, Edith Elizabeth Singleton.

Sherry was preceded in death by her father, O. Homer Thomas and mother, Gladys Knight.

They were survived by their daughter, Kimberly Kuntz; son, Craig Kuntz (Lisa); two granddaughters, Lauren Kuntz Dison (Timothy), Rachel Kuntz Metz (Alex); great grandson Wyatt Dison; sisters Deborah Kuntz Lemley (Joe, deceased), Susan Kuntz; brothers Michael Kuntz (Sandra), David Kuntz and many loved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Herb was born in 1944 in New Orleans, Louisiana and raised there by the river until his family moved back to Alabama. He attended Holy Trinity grammar school and St. Aloysius High School. In Birmingham he graduated from Phillips High School and attended UAB and Jefferson State.

Sherry, both born, 1942, and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. She attended Woodlawn High School and Samford University, She later taught paralegal courses at the latter.

Herb proudly served in the Alabama National Guard out of high school; completed Officers Candidate School and attained the rank of Lieutenant.

In his professional career, he worked eight years with M&M Mars. Eventually retiring from H. J. Heinz Pet Division after 20 years. During his tenure he was responsible for opening up the Mexico market for Heinz products.

Sherry worked her way from secretary to paralegal to certified legal assistant. After years of honing her very specific skills her career culminated in her opening her own legal consulting firm, Strategic Safety, contracted for cases by lawyers from all around the country.

As political activist’s committed to helping others, they both served as Chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party in St. Clair County he for 8 years and she for the past 6. They served together on the State Democrat Executive Committee, District 36, for at least 10 years. They served in various other offices over 20 plus years.

They enjoyed traveling together and with family to many wonderful places: Italy (the Vatican, the Pope, Pompeii, Florence, the famous statue of David), France (Paris, its museums and famous landmarks, floating down the Seine, mass at Notre Dame before it burned, high speed train to Provence, many villages and bakeries); England with all its history, pints in the pubs, plays (the original cast of Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserable); sleeping in a very old castle in Scotland; burlesque in Canada (the famous “ ballet”), all major islands of Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Barbados, a sailing adventure in the Grenadines with a British captain and his South African crew lady (St. Vincent, Petit St. Vincent, Mustique, jump ups in Becqui, Cannouan, St. Lucia, sleeping on the beach with hermit crabs in the Tobago Keys}, Antigua, Bahamas, Cancun, Tulum before it was “discovered”, Cozumel and dancing with Senor Frog. So many states, so many places, so much fun. Feeding marshmallows to alligators in the Everglades, swimming with dolphins in the Keys, riding horses at a Texas dude ranch, sunny beaches, skiing down mountains, snow mobiling in Yellowstone, catching throws at Mardi Gras in New Orleans. New Orleans held the most special place in their hearts and taste buds. They visited often.

And now they are taking their final journey home together.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, April 30th at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Pell City, Alabama with visitation at 2:00 p.m. and Mass at 3:00 p.m. with Father Bill Lucas officiating. A small reception will follow.

Flowers may be sent to Kilgroe Funeral Home. Donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Cancer Research Center, Catholic Charities or Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church.