Paul Howard Kunkle 64, Longtime Wishkah Valley resident passed away peacefully with his family at his side, March 30, 2015 at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, WA.

Paul was born on September 21, 1950 in Longview, WA to Howard R. and Edith R. (Ditton) Kunkle. They moved to Wishkah Valley when Paul was 10 and he graduated from Wishkah Valley High School in 1969. On October 17, 1970, Paul married his high school sweetheart, Nancy J. Powell in Wishkah Valley.

Following their wedding they moved to the Longview area where Paul went to work for Weyerhaeuser. After 2 years away from home they returned to Grays Harbor where Paul spent the next 16 years working at Camp Grisdale as a Heavy Equipment Mechanic for Simpson Timber Co. In 1986 he cofounded Wishkah Iron Works & 4X4 with Bill Carter. Paul and Nancy moved to Wishkah Valley in 1988 and in 1987 he went to work for the Port of Grays Harbor, where he was employed as a Maintenance Mechanic, until his passing.

Paul was the current President of the St. John’s Cemetery Association and also a past member of the International Wood Workers Association. He loved anything mechanical, cars, trucks or anything with an engine. Wishkah Iron Works sponsored two cars, Greg Dineen and Joe German, in the Dirt-Modified class at Elma Raceway for several years. Paul also loved watching the auto racing, going to swap meets and gun shows. He loved finding good deals and most always had some kind of trade brewing. Paul and Nancy traveled across the US in their RV doing family genealogy research and meeting relatives they found in their search. Paul had quite the gift of gab and loved to go visit with his friends and neighbors.

Paul is survived by his wife of 44 years, Nancy Kunkle of Wishkah Valley; two sons: Tony Kunkle and his fiancé Muni of Gold Bar, WA and Thomas Kunkle and his girlfriend Lisa of Aberdeen, WA; a grandson, Zachary Paul Kunkle; a sister, Nancy (Dave) Grandchamp of Kalama, Wa and a host of other family and friends. Paul was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Carol Davis.

There will be a graveside service for Paul on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 11 AM in the St. John’s Cemetery, Wishkah Valley. A celebration of Paul’s life will follow at the Wishkah Valley Community Church with a Potluck reception to follow.

A message of condolence or a memory can be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com

Arrangements are entrusted to Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.

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