Commander Hilary Gates "Zeke" Kunkler, USN Retired, passed away on Friday, December 27, 2024, at age 92 (or as he would say: "it's my 53rd anniversary of my 39th birthday"). He was born on October 6, 1932, in Barr Township, Daviess County, IN, to Hilary Peter and Mary Alma Gates Kunkler. He grew up on a farm in Loogootee, IN.

Commander Kunkler attended Purdue University in W. Lafayette, IN and studied civil engineering. When the Korean War started, he knew it was his time to serve his country, so he volunteered for Naval Flight Training. He qualified as a carrier pilot after six landings aboard the aircraft carrier USS Monterey in the Gulf of Mexico (NAS Pensacola). He earned the coveted "Wings of Gold" and was commissioned in the United States Navy in 1955. He served his country well for over 25 years as an aviator and instructor, including operations on nine carriers (USS Monterey (CVL-26), USS Tarawa (CV-40), USS Antietam (CV-36), USS Leyte (CV-32), USS Essex (CV-9), USS Shangri-La (CV-38), USS Saratoga (CV-3), USS Independence (CVL-22), and USS America (CV-66). He had the most carrier landings on the USS Antietam: over 130 plus over 1,000 as co-pilot training students.

He was a proud member of the Tailhook Association and attended aircraft carrier reunions all over the country. He said landing a jet on an aircraft carrier was like landing on a postage stamp. He flew many different aircraft: SNJ-5, RC-45J (SNB), TBM Avenger, S2F Tracker, TF-1 Trader, T-1A (T2V-1) Seastar, F9F-8T Cougar, E1-B Tracer (WF-2), and R4D-2s. He also flew the plane used in the James Bond 007 movie 'Pussy Galore' for about 30 minutes. They were checking it out as a replacement for NFO flight training at NAS Pensacola, but they didn't buy it.

He served in Vietnam at the U.S. Naval Air Facility, Cam Ranh Bay February 1969 - February 1970. He was an influential program creator/policy maker in Aircraft Maintenance and in Naval Air Training. Among his awards were the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" (the fourth highest military decoration with valor) the Armed Forces and Navy Expeditionary Medals and the Meritorious Service Medal.

After retiring from the Navy in 1978, he volunteered to teach reading in Corpus Christi, TX for many years. He loved woodworking and created shell shadow boxes. He sold his crafts at art shows and at his store, Seahorse Gallery/Seaweeds, Etc. in Corpus Christi for years. He loved visiting Aviation Museums and National Parks. He toured the US in his RV pulling his car and scooter (his "train"). He spent winters in Harlingen, TX and visited Mexico often. He loved the American Southwest and spent a lot of time in Deming, NM. He fondly told stories of spending time with the Hopi Native Americans. Throughout his life he visited 5 continents, 28 countries and 168 cities outside the US.

Commander Kunkler will be missed by his five children, Kyra Gould (Thomas), Karen Liszt (Darryl Holmes), Terry Kunkler, Patrice Habich, Marisa Martin, and his seven grandchildren, Michelle Boyd (Dreyson), Sean Hilgenberg, Spenser Liszt (Jordan), Alex Habich, Justin Habich, Nathan Martin and Adam Martin. He also leaves behind three great-grandchildren, Lucille Boyd, Loretta Boyd and Robin Liszt. He will be missed by his sister Sr. Rachel "Duke" Kunkler M.M. (Maryknoll Missioner), brother Lawrence Kunkler (Bobbie), as well as beloved nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends all over the United States.

Commander Kunkler was a well-respected man of intelligence, integrity, and commitment, with a love of God, country, and family. Many will remember his corny sense of humor. And his parting phrase "Check your six".

A Graveside service with full military honors will be held at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, a cause close to his heart.