James Everett Kunkler

James Everett Kunkler, 97, Bradenton, died Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2007. Mr. Kunkler was born Nov. 3, 1909, in Clinton, Mo., the son of Ira and Ethel Kunkler. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 67 years, Mary Potter Kunkler. Mr. Kunkler graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a degree in engi-neering in 1932. He was a mem-ber of Lambda Chi Alpha social fraternity. Mr. Kunkler worked for the Missouri Highway Commission during his summer college years and up until 1941, when he joined Armco Steel, Inc., in an engineering capacity with what later became the Metal Products Division. In 1962, he became divisional vice president and general manager of the division. In 1972 he was named senior vice president of Armco, now AK Steel Corpo-ration, he retired in 1974. He was a member of the American Society of Civil Engi-neers; Tau Beta Pi, the engi-neering honorary fraternity; and the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers. While living in Middletown, he was active in civic and com-munity affairs, serving as director of the Middletown Area United Way; Middletown Chamber of Commerce; a director of Middletown Federal Savings and Loan Association; Middletown City Planning Commission; president of Middletown Area Red Cross; and president of the Woodside Cemetery Association. Mr. Kunkler was a dedicated alumnus of the University of Missouri. He was a member of the dean's advisory council for the College of Engineering. He received the College's award for distinguished service in engi-neering in 1970, and in 1982 he was honored by the Alumni As-sociation with an Alumni Medal of Honor. He was a member of the Jefferson Club. Mr. Kunkler moved to Bradenton in 1999. He was a member of Kirkwood Presbyte-rian Church. Perhaps Mr. Kunkler's greatest legacy is his family whom he cared for and loved deeply. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Mary Jane and Stephen Smith, of Bradenton; granddaughters and their hus-bands, Ann and Chuck Self, of Atlanta, and Lacy and Doug Buchannan, of Wilmington, Ohio; grandson and his wife, Kent and Robin Smith, of Talla-hassee, Fla.; and eight great-grandchildren. He is also sur-vived by Patricia Lynch, the nurse who cared for him and his wife, whom he considered a member of his family. A service celebrating the life of Mr. Kunkler will be held at 1p.m., Saturday, Feb. 10th, Kirkwood Presbyterian Church. Internment will be in Jefferson City, Mo. Arrangements by Brown and Sons Funeral Homes, 43rd Street Chapel.