Donald Paul Kunzer

Donald Paul Kunzer passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones, on August 27, 2026, after a 5½-year battle with ampullary (pancreatic) cancer.

Don was born on May 2, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois, to proud German immigrants, Elizabeth and Anthony Kunzer. He was the fourth of what would eventually be ten children—six boys and four girls. The family lived a multigenerational life with their grandparents, working a farm and practicing the many trades that sustained their family.

At a young age, Don discovered his love of the outdoors. Playing and hunting in the wilderness became a lifelong passion and a source of motivation that carried him throughout his life and into his final days. He attended St George Elementary School, where he was known as the class clown, and later attended Joliet Catholic high school, where he ran track and set long-standing records in the pole vault.

In 1965, Don was drafted into the U.S. Army as an infantryman. He completed basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, followed by advanced infantry training and jungle warfare school at Fort Polk, Louisiana. In 1966, he deployed to Vietnam with the 1st Infantry Division, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, under the command of LTC Alexander Haig. His unit earned the Presidential Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster as well as the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross. Don personally received the Combat Infantryman Badge, three Bronze Stars, one with the “V” device for valor and heroism in ground combat.

After returning home from the Vietnam War, Don found work in construction and returned to the things he loved; hunting familiar grounds, riding motorcycles, trap shooting, and spending time with family and lifelong friends.

In 1968 Don met the beautiful young woman, Sharon Tattum, known by all of us as the “Queen.” They were married on May 23, 1970, beginning a life together that lasted 50 years, until Sharon’s passing in 2020.

Their life together took them first to Alaska, where Don guided hunters on the Aleutian Islands and throughout other wild country for four years. They eventually returned briefly to Illinois before finding their forever home in Plains, Montana, in 1979.

In Plains, Don and Sharon carved a home out of 110 acres of some of the most beautiful country they had ever seen. Side by side with his wife, children Donny and Christina, and numerous friends, Don built a life centered on service, sacrifice, and honor. Whether he was working as a master carpenter, completing something for his family, his friends, or performing a simple task that needed to be done, he always did it with pride and integrity.

In 1980, Don joined the U.S. Army Reserve Command. His service with the 279th Engineers continued until his retirement as a highly decorated master sergeant in 2005, when he completed his final deployment to Uzbekistan. During those 25 years, he served on multiple deployments to Korea, Germany, Panama, Honduras, Egypt, Guatemala, and El Salvador. His travels also took him to Japan, Guam, Samoa, France, Austria, Switzerland, Turkey, Holland, and Ireland.No matter how far his service with his travels took him, Don always loved returning home to his family and the Plains community he treasured.

When he wasn’t soldiering, Don was working or playing hard. His entire year revolved around planning his big-game and pheasant hunts with family and friends and, of course, his dog. He was instrumental in the creation of the Plains Trap Club, served VFW Post 3596 for more than 40 years, participated on the 96th ARCOM Rifle and Pistol Team, Multiple Trap League teams, and helped teach hunter safety to local youth.

Don was preceded in death by the absolute love of his life, his wife Sharon; his parents, Elizabeth and Anthony; his brother William; and his brother Thomas (Cookie).

He is survived by his brothers Charles (Verdia), Bob, and Jerry (Debbie); sisters Arleen (Ron), Betty Ann (Frank) , Barb (Tom), and Mary ("B"), his son Donny; daughter Christina (James); grandsons Christopher( Milene), Lucas( Maike), and Matthew; granddaughter Morgen; and his dog, Panda.

Don loved music and dancing, a good story, a great joke, a cold beer, his family, his friends, and the life he fought for every single day of it.

He lived a life of service, adventure, hard work, laughter, loyalty, and love. He leaves behind a family and community shaped by the life he built and the example he gave. While he will be missed beyond measure, somewhere beyond these wild places and country he loved so much, we hope Don and his Queen are dancing together again. Rest easy Heavy.