James Gerald Kunisch

James (Jim) Gerald Kunisch, 78, passed away on April 11,2024 at his home in Gaylord, MI. 

Jim was born on January 9, 1946, to Norman and Esther Kunisch in Sebewaing, MI. After graduating from Sebewaing High School in 1964, Jim attended Central Michigan University and graduated with a BS in Biology. After graduation he joined the family business, Kunisch Clothing, and began a lifelong career. He co-owned and operated Kunisch clothing in Gaylord, later renamed, “Mr Coots” for over 30 years. He truly enjoyed providing quality products and incomparable service to his customers. He later co-owned and operated PakMail in Gaylord until his retirement in 2014. 

He met his future wife, Marjorie Erat in 1958 on the shores of Otsego Lake, demonstrating his prowess on water skis and even barefoot skiing. After many summers of courtship, they were married in 1968. The couple had 4 children; Ryan, Trisha, Angela and Brittany. Otsego Lake remained a prominent part of family life, as the location of countless idyllic days spent boating, teaching kids to waterski and hosting family and friends at the same cottage where he spent the summers of his youth. 

Jim was an avid outdoorsman and had many adventures hunting and fishing over the years, from duck hunting and fishing Saginaw Bay with his brother Bill, to hunting camps in Gaylord and annual international fishing trips to Canada & Mexico with family & friends. Jim loved spending time in the Pigeon River, and in his younger days spent Sunday afternoons cross-country skiing, tubing, or picnicking with family friends and later in life simply driving around or teaching his grandsons to shoot and fish. 

Jim also enjoyed sports, watching countless hours of youth soccer, softball, baseball, football, wrestling and cheerleading. He supported his kids in every endeavor and was often the best dressed spectator in attendance. He was an avid Lions fan, despite the frequent disappointment, spending fall Sunday’s rooting for the Lions in Ryan’s garage. 

Jim was preceded in death by his daughter, Angela Marie. He is survived by brother Bill (Aileen) Kunisch, sister Peggy (Rocky) Hansen, wife, Marge, his 3 children; Ryan Kunisch, Trisha (Barry) Jones, Brittany (David) Beyers, and 7 grandchildren; Tanner, Luke, Mia, Mischa, Cole, Brady & Jace. 

Services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Gaylord, MI on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or the Otsego County animal shelter.

Arrangements are by Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service.  Please share your memories and personal messages with the family at www.gaylordfuneralhome.com/obituaries/james-kunisch.