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Stephen Lester Gunzel, 60, of Sierra Vista, Arizona passed away January 2, 2012 at his residence of 12 ½ years after “beating the odds” by living 2 ½ years with brain cancer.
Steve was born May 13, 1951 in Missoula, Montana to Louis and Carolyn (Davis) Gunzel. He lived in Yellowstone National Park for 13 years before moving to Arizona. He attended Palo Verde High School where he met Jill Vactor in their freshman year 45 years ago. After attending the University of Arizona for 5 years earning a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, he and Jill married in 1974 and moved to Lemmon Rock Lookout. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service for 33 years including Catalina District (Tucson); Chevelon District (Winslow, Arizona); Mt. Taylor District (Grants, New Mexico); Regional Office Albuquerque; Payson District (Payson, Arizona) and Sierra Vista District. He moved to Sierra Vista to be a District Ranger in 1999, after being the District Ranger in Payson for 14 years.
Always an outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, knife making, fishing, square dancing, riding his Harley and Rotary Clubs of Payson and Sierra Vista. His greatest joys included keeping the grandchildren supplied with gummy worms and being the official "sleeping platform" for the six grandbabies.
He is survived by his one son, Jon (Trina) Gunzel; one daughter, Julie (Jeremy) Graff; six grandchildren, Wyatt and Abbigail Gunzel, Leslie, Adam, Bailey, and Warren Graff, his parents; and two sisters, Donna Calvert and Jeanette Thompson.
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Dave Cole
I didn't get to know Steve until after graduating from PV. He and I (along with PV classmates Dallas Kassing and Ron King) lived in Hopi Lodge at UofA during the 1969-70 school year. I enjoyed hanging out with Steve and we had some good times. Years later (2002), Steve and Jill asked me to perform their daughter Julie's wedding at Tanque Verde Ranch. I was honored to do so. I've officiated at more than 50 weddings, but Julie and Jeremy's is the one I enjoyed the most.
Although I miss Steve and grieve for Jill and the family, as a believer, I know that Steve is in a better place. Words cannot express my admiration for Steve and Jill and the way they handled Steve's illness. Jill's CaringBridge journal kept us informed every step of the way. Steve's work on this earth is done, but he'll never be forgotten.
Barb Bradley once called Steve "the gentle giant." In high school, his physical presence was imposing, making him a "giant" of sorts. (Let's face it: your average mortal cannot fling a discus 186+ feet.) I didn't understand the "gentle" part until much later -- about the same time I realized that his true "giant-ness" was in his character as a man.
Rest in Peace, Steve. You've earned it.
Dave
Chuck Collins
Steve was a good friend. He was friendly, warm, quiet, unassuming. He worked hard and played hard. I accidently kicked Steve when we were playing soccer during P.E in the shin and put him down big time. He was very gracious and saw that it was a complete accident. We were always good friends and worked out together in weigh lifting where he'd spot me while doing my bench presses. After P.V. I had lost contact with many of my Tucson friends. Steve, one day, I'll see you again.