After a brave 3 1/2 year battle with melanoma and brain cancer, Blaine Jacob Kuntz (Jake to everyone who knew him), 56, of Grain Valley passed away on April 11, 2010 at the Kansas City Hospice House.
Visitation will be Friday evening, April 16, at Royer Funeral Home in Grain Valley from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.; the funeral will be on Saturday, April 17 at Royer Funeral home with Pastor David Hackett officiating; burial at Valley Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Kansas City Hospice, 12000 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64145.
Born in Bismarck, North Dakota on June 23, 1953 to Vincent and CeCilia (Geiger) Kuntz, Jake was married for 37 years to Debra (Rippley) Kuntz, of the home. He was a warehouse manager for High Life Sales (now Central State Beverage Sales) for 20 years, and was previously an iron worker for 15 years.
Jake was an avid fan of NASCAR, loved fishing, hunting and cooking outdoors, but what he loved most of all was spending time with his children and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law Bill Rippley, brothers-in-law Doug Rippley and Martsey Rippley.
He is survived by his wife, Debra; son Shawn (Leslie); daughter Tracy (Brad Prchal); daughter Kayla (Jesse Reynolds); a sister, Marilyn Suchy; four brothers, Harvey (Claudette); Robert (Kathy); Douglas (Michelle); and Dwight (Peggy); grandchildren Ellie and Calissa Kuntz; Kabe and Kenzie Reynolds; and Nick, Jake, and Matt Prchal; nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and countless friends who will miss him dearly.
Obit was written by Chris at the Pointe.