Andrew Allen Kunkel

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We write this in loving memory of our brother, Andy, so that together we may acknowledge and share both our joy in the gift that his life was to us, and the pain that his passing brings. In sharing the joy and the pain together, may we lessen the pain and remember more clearly the joy.

Andy was just 58 years old when he passed away on Sunday, February 11 at 3:30 AM at his home in Brandon, Florida . He was born on August 4, 1959 in Lamesa, Texas to Edward and Peggy Kunkel. Andy spent his life in Texas, Colorado and Florida, working in computer engineering for over 30 years.

Andy was very close to his family, to his friends, to his life-partner, Larry, and to his beloved dachshunds, Lisel and Gunter. Growing up with Andy was a tremendous blessing and joy for all of us. We loved him as a brother. We loved him as an uncle. We loved him as a great-uncle. We loved him as a friend. Andy was pure love and had unconditional acceptance for everyone. No matter the circumstances, Andy maintained a childlike heart throughout all of his brief life.

There were many wonderful aspects to Andy’s life, and many ways that he touched our lives. He will always be remembered as a wonderful brother, a great friend, a loving, giving and hilarious uncle, a brilliant professional, and Disney Worlds number one enthusiast.

In all these ways and more, he made our lives richer and fuller. Now that he has passed away, of course there is emptiness and pain, confusion and maybe even anger at death coming to a man of only 58 years, but in many ways, the gift of Andy’s life is still here with us. He lives on in our memories and stories, and in what all of us have become because of him.

So I encourage you to share –today, tomorrow and in the years to come- your memories and stories, and to share the pain of your loss as well. In this way we will keep the gift of Andy’s life alive.

Weep Not For Me

By an Unknown Author

Weep not for me though I have gone

Into that gentle night

Grieve if you will, but not for long

Upon my soul’s sweet fight

I am at peace, my soul’s at rest

There is no need for tears

For with your love I was so blessed

For all those many years

There is no pain, I suffer not

The fear is now all gone

Put now these things out of your thoughts

In your memory I live on

Remember not my fight for breath

Remember not the strife

Please do not dwell upon my death

But celebrate my life