James Kunke of Lewisville, Texas, a loving husband and dad, and an exceptional leader, storyteller, and friend, passed away December 23, 2025, at age 58.

Encouraged by his family and emboldened by his faith, James faced cancer with courage, grace, and compassion.

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Lawrence James Kunke Jr. was born February 24, 1967, in Austin, Texas. It didn't take long for young James to begin showing the traits so many of us loved in James the adult.

With a transistor radio on the windowsill next to his bed, James would "announce" Texas Rangers games, perhaps foreshadowing his future as a sportswriter, parade announcer, emcee, and prayer leader.

In 1984, he graduated from Crockett High School in Austin, where he was on the speech and debate team. He served seven years in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. He earned his bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Texas at Arlington.

James was a reporter, editor, and sportswriter covering Friday night football at the Mid-Cities News (DFW Suburban Newspapers) from 1988 to 1996. In early 1989, he was sent to the lobby to escort the new intern, Laurie Barnett, to her desk. Two months later, he escorted her to Bennigan's in Arlington on their first date.

He was fond of saying, "I only asked her out on a second date so I could have a chance to talk."

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In 1993, James was ready to propose to Laurie after dinner on a trip to Galveston. He'd shown the ring to family members and tucked it in his shoe.

"I got you a prize" had become one of James' and Laurie's favorite sayings, and he certainly had a grand prize to offer that night. Sated on seafood, and completely unaware she was blowing up his big plan, Laurie asked if she could have her prize in the morning.

The next day, James proposed on the balcony overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Laurie loved that they had the whole day to celebrate. They married the following May at First United Methodist Church of Euless and honeymooned in Costa Rica.

At heart James was a storyteller—a hilarious one. He'd say 'a funny' under his breath, giving Laurie, his lovely bride whom he also called his "Lucy" (a la Lucy Ricardo or Lucille Ball), the opportunity to steal it, sparking uproarious laughter.

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In 1996, James moved to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram where he oversaw special features, before leading a team covering local news in Grapevine, Colleyville, and Southlake, Texas.

Embracing his love of community, he then served as Public Information Officer for the City of Southlake starting in 1999 before landing at the City of Lewisville, where he worked for more than 23 years, most recently as Director of Community Engagement. He loved sharing information, history, and stories with anyone who would listen.

His daughter Macy, who was born in 2000, was one of those who listened, starting when her dad would read to her in the womb. James was a get-on-the-floor, dive-head-first-in-the-fun kind of dad.

As a young girl, Macy warned James that she was planning to prank him on April Fools' Day. And she did—by stuffing his shoes with Easter grass. James had his own trick up his sleeve, and Macy later found her toothbrush frozen in a cup of water.

The quintessential band parents, James and Laurie attended every concert and contest, chaperoned bus trips, and brought the snacks. On parents' night, if a student didn't have a parent present, James subbed in.

When Macy caught the theater bug in high school, James and Laurie served on the theater booster board, fed ravenous teens during tech week, and spent countless weekends at performances. James was positive and encouraging, and his partnership with Laurie was categorized by the students as "couple-goals" (even if he wasn't always sure about the kids' new lingo).

Father and daughter had a lot of shared interests. "We were a couple of nerds, a couple of dorks," Macy said. The Kunke household hosted the fantasy role-playing Dungeons & Dragons game for Macy and her friends. It later became a virtual affair with multiple generations, including James' college friends.

When Macy first mentioned this Dungeons & Dragons her friends were talking about, James lit up, excused himself to the garage, and emerged with part of his decades-old D&D stash. "This," he declared, "is your inheritance."

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James was in a relationship with Excel—and it was complicated. His famous spreadsheets covered everything from charitable giving, to Macy's car maintenance records, to the family's travel scorecard, and so much more.

When James and Laurie moved to Lewisville, he enjoyed notating the stats for the Fighting Farmers, Lewisville High School's football team. He could tell anyone who asked how many times the Farmers had played a particular team or been in the playoffs.

When Laurie asked him how many cruises they'd been on over the years, he spreadsheeted them all; whenever they'd plan a vacation, Excel was intimately involved.

Together James and Laurie visited Europe three times, and on one trip they saw eight countries in two weeks. Spain and the Canary Islands were highlights, and they loved their Amtrak train ride from Dallas to Chicago. There were lots of repeat visits to Walt Disney World. Cruises were James' favorite, with an Alaskan cruise topping the list. In fact, he and Laurie had just stepped off a cruise ship the week before his passing.

"He enjoyed keeping track of facts, stories, and memories over the years," Laurie said. This included shaking every branch of his family trees. Endlessly curious, James would burn the midnight oil researching his own genealogy, and friends' too.

He also loved to read, play video games, watch movies, and cheer on his beloved Texas Longhorns. It was even better if he had a dish of Blue Bell Cherry Vanilla by his side.

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James poured his heart and soul into Vista Ridge United Methodist Church. For the past three years, he served as the congregation's Lay Leader. He also co-chaired the Servant Leadership Council. In addition, he taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, was a frequent preacher when the pastor was out, and, with Laurie, led the children's choir when Macy was young.

James didn't want to be "the guy with cancer," but he didn't squander the opportunity it afforded him either. During chemo, he made friends, listening to and praying for each one. He always wanted to give to others and support his family, his friends, his colleagues, his congregation, and people in the community.

He was generous in ways large and small. Their church helps stock the meat shelves at Christian Community Action Food Pantry, and James and Laurie faithfully filled their Sam's cart with donations. James would deliver the congregation's donations to the food pantry every Monday. He once said, "I can't pray for God to give me opportunities to help people and then not help people."

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James, a fifth-generation Texan, was the City of Lewisville's best historian and storyteller, according to reliable sources, and his Old Town Tours were legendary. He was active in the City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA), and he spent six terms on the executive committee for the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers (TAMIO). He was particularly proud of his involvement in the work of art commissioned to honor Lewisville's Chin community. His ashes will be part of a memorial tree planted this spring in the city's Central Park near the artwork, "Lung Thawng," which means "strong-hearted."

The awards he accumulated over the years are too numerous to list. But in 2020 the Lewisville City Manager recognized him with the Maurice Strickland Award for his exceptional performance and actions that support the city's vision and values. And in 2024, both James and Laurie were presented the Founders Award from TAMIO for their leadership and impact in the field of government communication.

To his colleagues, he was a servant leader who led by many examples, including picking up trash with a big smile on his face.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he initiated what became a senior outreach program through which staff made sure older residents were safe and sound. He was also instrumental in bringing The Wall That Heals to Lewisville to enhance community appreciation for veterans.

James exemplified the spirit of civic leadership. Although he didn't seek the spotlight, his fingerprints are on nearly every initiative that shapes how people experience Lewisville. He'll also be remembered for the ways in which he championed inclusivity and rallied for justice—in Lewisville and beyond.

"He had a really strong belief that as a church and as human beings we have a responsibility to take care of people," Macy said. "He wanted to leave every place he left better than he found it. He would give the Hawaiian shirt off his back to anyone who needed it."

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James is survived by his wife, Laurie Kunke; daughter, Macy Kunke; father, Jim Kunke; mother, Jean Treadwell; brother, Jason Kunke; and sisters, Jennifer Kunke and Robyn Treadwell. He was preceded in death by his brother Jonathan Treadwell and sisters Laura J'Lynn Kunke and Sara Anne Treadwell.

A Celebration of Life and Faith for James will be held Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Coppell. Attire is casual; feel free to wear a Hawaiian shirt or his favorite color, purple.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to one of two charities that were near and dear to James. Christian Community Action Food Pantry empowers families to choose fresh produce, pantry staples, and hygiene items that meet their unique needs. The United Methodist Committee on Relief strengthens response to humanitarian crises around the world through disaster relief and recovery, migrant and refugee support, environmental sustainability, agriculture, and food security. James deeply believed this world could usher in the Kingdom of Heaven in the ways we love one another.