Kenneth Wunderlick

Kenneth Albert Wunderlick passed away August 1, 2025, in Roswell, NM surrounded by his loving family and friends. He was 91 years old.

Funeral services will be on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Ballard Funeral Home.

Kenneth was born in Newton, Kansas on December 2, 1933, to Albert and Sarah Wunderlick. He was one of three children. Kenneth joined the United States Air Force on November 14, 1951, at the age of 17 and worked in supply operation. He completed his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. He was first stationed in Cheyenne, Wyoming and then Mercedes, California. In September 1953 he was given orders that he would be stationed in Bremerhaven, Germany so he took a ship from Brooklyn, NY all the way to Germany. When he arrived, he was told he would be stationed in Chaumont, France instead. That was truly destiny because that is where he met the love of his life and his "Cherie", Michele Wunderlick. Kenneth and Michele were married June 16, 1956, in Chaumont, France. In the years that followed, Kenneth was stationed in California, Athens, Greece, Thailand, Clovis, NM, and Walker Air Force Base in Roswell. He was a Vietnam Veteran and served in Vietnam during the Tet offensive. During his tenure in the Air Force, he also had temporary duty in several countries including Australia, Spain, Germany, the Philippines, Italy, Turkey, and Hong Kong, China. Greece and France were among his favorite places that he was stationed. Kenneth retired from the Air Force after 26 years of service on November 30, 1977. At the time of his retirement, his rank was Master Sergeant. During his career in the Air Force, he received many awards including a Meritorious Service Medal and an Air Force Commendation Medal.

After retiring, Kenneth took a few years off before returning to work at the Roswell Rehabilitation Center from 1979 to 1990. He finally "retired" in 1990, yet always managed to stay busy, especially with a spunky little granddaughter that he was raising!

Kenneth enjoyed hunting and always spoke about boar hunting in Turkey while in the service. He said it was the best pork he had ever eaten! Kenneth was a talented woodworker. He loved to go fishing and was a diehard Dallas, Cowboys fan! He was a talented pool player and competed and won many times in the Senior Olympics. He loved working on crossword puzzles. He enjoyed fixing and selling medical equipment. He enjoyed going to garage sales and estate sales on the weekends. He really liked listening to his country music, especially Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson! Kenneth was one of a kind and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Sarah Wunderlick, his sister Frances Wunderlick, and his son, Douglas Allan Wunderlick.

Kenneth is survived by his wife of 69 years, Michele Wunderlick, his daughter, Catherine Pepp and her partner, Patrick Ash, his daughter/granddaughter, Joyce Nickie Wunderlick and her partner, Jimmy Ramirez, daughter-in-law, Olga Wunderlick, and brother, Tommy Wunderlick.

The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Karimian, Dr. Adajar, Rebecca Ramirez RN, Comfort Keepers (especially Olivia Perez and Laurie Fladd), and our dear friend Reyna Ferguson for the loving care you provided for Kenneth over the years. The family would also like to thank Al Munoz and Cosmos Ramirez for their dedicated friendship.

Fill not your heart with pain and sorrow,

but remember me in every tomorrow.

Remember the joy, the laughter, the smile.

I've only gone to rest for a little while.

Although my leaving causes pain and grief,

my going has eased my hurt and given me relief.

So dry your eyes and remember me,

not as I am now, but as I used to be.

Because I will remember you all,

and look on with a smile.

Understand in your hearts,

I've only gone to rest for a little while.