KUNZ, Paul Francis

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Wednesday, October 02, 2013 Paul F. Kunz passed away Sept. 30, 2013, in Prescott, Ariz., after a courageous battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. He was born in Los Angeles, Calif., July 26, 1939, to John and Mary Ellen Gibbons Kunz. Paul spent his youth in the San Gabriel Valley, Calif., area, and graduated from Cathedral High School and attended college in the Los Angeles area as well. He married Judy Klein in January 1960, and they had four children: Anthony Kunz, Lorraine S. Kunz Banner, Debbie Ann Kunz Faunce and Jeffrey Scott Kunz. Paul worked in retail in Los Angeles and managed many of the Karl's Shoe Store chain. He moved his family to Casa Grande, Ariz., in 1971 and started PJ's Service Company in 1972. His wife, Judy, died after a long illness in 1982, and Paul and son Jeff moved to Prescott in 1983. Paul met Carol, and they married in 1984. Paul started his Ponderosa Service Company in 1984, and it expanded from Prescott to the Phoenix area. Paul's parents preceded him in death. His oldest son, Anthony, also preceded Paul in death in 2010. His younger brother, Jimmy Kunz of Apple Valley, Calif., preceded Paul in death in 2013. He is survived by wife of 30 years, Carol, and his three children: Lorraine Banner (husband John and nine children) of Tulsa, Okla., Debbie Faunce (Casey and four children) of Willcox, Ariz., and Jeff Kunz (wife Melissa and four sons) of Phoenix, Ariz. He is also survived by his brother John (wife Lynn) of Apple Valley, Calif., brother Barry (wife Mary) of Long Beach, Calif., and sister Betty Pettitt (husband John) of Westminster, Calif. There are numerous nieces and nephews. Carol's children also survive him: Chris White (wife Rose and three children) and Amy White Fishbaugh, all living in Colorado. Chris and Amy refer affectionately to Paul as their "bonus dad." Paul loved his family and they were of the utmost importance to him. He will be remembered as an easygoing man, a good listener and one who became a good ballroom dancer and host of great parties. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Good Samaritan Hospice Society, 1065 Ruth St., Prescott AZ 86301 or ALS Association, AZ Chapter, 4643 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85018, for research. Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. A memorial Mass will be held at Sacred Heart, 150 Fleury St., Prescott, Ariz., on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, at 10 a.m. You are invited to log onto www.ruffnerwakelin.com to sign Paul's guestbook and share a memory with the family. Information provided by survivors.