James Franklin Wunderlin

James Franklin Wunderlin "Jim" passed away peacefully in Las Vegas, NV on May 11, 2025

at the age of 79 with his loving wife Christine and other family members by his side. Jim was born in Platteville, WI on June 23, 1945 and was 79 years old at his passing.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Ambrose and Marie (McClain) Wunderlin, brother Wayne, sisters Lois Ann (Wunderlin) Stilwell and Diane M. Wunderlin. Jim is survived by his wife of 40 years Christine (Rowe) Wunderlin, brother Ronald E Wunderlin and sister-in-law Mary Ann (Snedic) Wunderlin of Minneapolis, MN, brother Michael A. Wunderlin of San Diego, CA, sisters-in-law Diane E. (Faye) Wundedin of Platteville, WI., Char (Rowe) Upham of Las Vegas, NV, Mary (Rowe) Albright of Milwaukee, WI, brother-inlaw Nicholas Rowe of Milwaukee, WI plus many nieces and nephews.

Jim was proud and happy to be raised on a dairy farm in Southwest Wisconsin where he worked and played with his five other siblings and was loved by his wonderful caring parents. After attending St Mary's Grade School and Platteville High School (Class of 1963) were he lettered in football, he attended UW-PlattevitIe and graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering in 1968. He later received a Master of Science in Engineering from UW-MiIwaukee. Jim was a Professional Engineer in the states of Wisconsin, Nevada and Arizona.

Jim's first full time employment was with Wisconsin Gas Company in Milwaukee, Wi. after graduating from UW-PIattevilIe in 1968. He became their Chief Engineer in 1985 and was recruited by Southwest Gas Corporation in 1991 to become their Director of Engineering. Jim retired from Southwest Gas Corporation in 2011 as Senior Vice President Engineering & Business Operations and Technology Support.

Over the years Jim was involved with Junior Achievement, Easter Seals Southern Nevada Advisory Board, UNLV Engineering Advisory Board, the UNLV Minority Engineering

Advisory Board, and the American Gas Association Managing Committee Chairman.

Jim was honored to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2007 from UW-PIatteviIle. He also was awarded Engineer of the Year 2009-2010 by the Southern Nevada Chapter of Professional Engineers.

Jim enjoyed golf, swimming and other outdoor activities including hunting where he was successful in getting a Desert Big Horn Sheep, Elk, Antelope, Mule Deer and White Tailed Deer. He received his Private Pilot License in 1988 and enjoyed flying his wife Christine and other family members to resort areas in Southern Wisconsin.

After his retirement Jim did extensive work on his Wunderlin Family geneology. Jim with his two brothers Ron and Mike and niece Kira traveled to Switzerland to visit the boyhood home of his GG Grandfather Ignatius Wunderlin of Zeiningen, Switzerland. Jim published "Our Wunderfin Heritage" and held a family reunion in Potosi, WI in 2013 where his genealogy work was shared with many Wunderlin family members including cousins and friends.

Jim loved his work and was admired for his kindness and the respect he gave his fellow gas company Team members.

Jim will be interned at Palm Mortuary on North Jones in Las Vegas where his ashes will be placed in a columbarium. Services are planned for June 20, 2025, at 2pm with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers we ask that any contributions be made to the "Wunderlin Family Scholarship" at the UW-PlatteviIle Foundation.