07/22/2025
In Loving Memory: Reece, Paula Joe, Lyle & Holland Zunker
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the tragic and sudden passing of our beloved family in the early morning hours of July 4th, 2025, in Hunt, TX: Reece Tyler Zunker (36) and his beloved wife, Paula Joe Gerbig Zunker (35), as well as their two young children, Lyle Earl Zunker (7) and Holland Morgan Zunker (3). Their life was a tapestry of kindness, laughter, and love. While words can hardly capture the full measure of lives both so well lived and yet barely lived at all, we offer this obituary as both a tribute and a lasting testament to their spirits – spirits that will continue to encourage all who had the privilege of knowing them.
Reece Tyler Zunker was born in New Braunfels, Texas, at McKenna Memorial Hospital on November 30th, 1988, to Carolyn Achilles Zunker and Danny Eugene Zunker. Reece graduated from Canyon High School in 2007 and earned his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 2012 from Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. Reece played football and soccer throughout his childhood and high school years which cultivated his deep passion for coaching. For 12 of his 13 years in Education he devoted himself to Tivy High School where he was deeply invested in his students not only in the classroom and on the field, but also in the Kerrville community. In 2024, Reece won Secondary School Teacher of the Year. In addition, Reece won the TASCO Boys 5A Coach of the Year two years in a row for the 2018-2019 seasons.
Paula Joe Gerbig Zunker was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, at Spohn Hospital on September 5th, 1989, to Lucy Spear Gerbig and Gary Gerbig. Paula Joe graduated from Round Rock High School in Round Rock, Texas, in 2008 and graduated cm laude from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, in 2012. During her school years she was a cheerleader, member of the wrestling and rugby teams and was a Texas State University Diamond Sweetheart. Paula Joe spent many years at Camp Mystic as a camper, camp counselor and camp shopper. Paula Joe’s dedication to a life of service and education was displayed through her many roles in the Kerrville community. She was a teacher at the Hill Country Youth Ranch as well as Tivy High School as an English teacher and cheerleading sponsor. Paula Joe was a member and President of the Kerrville Jr. Service Guild and a member of the Centre Point Theatre.
Reece and Paula Joe met through mutual friends in 2011. On June 14th, 2014, they were married in Corpus Christi, Texas, at The Church of the Good Shephard. Reece and Paula Joe’s life was built around their faith in God and their love of family - perhaps their greatest joy. They were active and involved members of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Kerrville, Texas. As devoted partners, they forged a relationship built on mutual respect, laughter, and unwavering support of one another. Their love story was one of partnership and adventure—a journey marked by shared dreams and steadfast devotion. In their spare time, Reece and Paula Joe loved to renovate homes, sell them, and were members of the Airbnb Host Club. As parents, they were a source of wisdom, abundant encouragement, and affection. They taught their children to greet the world with open minds and open hearts, to value perseverance over perfection, and to find joy in life's simplest moments. Their guidance was gentle yet profound, and their home was a place where their children felt seen, heard, and cherished. They believed deeply in the importance of giving back to the Kerrville community and their steady presence could always be counted on.
Lyle Earl Zunker was born on August 23rd, 2017, in Kerrville, Texas, at Peterson Regional Hospital. He had a sweet, infectious smile and always had kind words to say. Lyle was always up to trying anything at least once. He loved to read, play and watch soccer with his dad. He enjoyed fishing, mutton bustin’, kayaking, surfing, basketball, swimming, art, building with Legos and helping his mom and dad renovate homes. He attended Kerrville First United Methodist Church and Trinity Baptist Church for preschool. He was a student at The Hunt School and was accepted into the Gifted & Talented program for what would have been 2nd grade.
Holland Morgan Zunker was born on September 9th, 2021, in Kerrville, Texas, at Peterson Regional Hospital. She was a spunky, full-of-life little girl who knew how to give the very best hugs. She was an adventure seeker just like her mom and always kept her mom and dad on their toes. She had her own sense of style and was always “large and in charge” once she got to know you. She loved dance class, swimming, fishing, kayaking and playing on the beach. She attended Kerrville First United Methodist Church and Trinity Baptist Church for preschool.
Reece and Paula Joe are survived by their parents, Danny and Carolyn Zunker, Gary Gerbig, Lucy Spear Gerbig; Reece’s grandparents, Eugene and Shirley Zunker; Paula Joe’s grandfather, Morgan Spear; Reece’s siblings, (sister) Leslie Been and husband Justin and their children Wiley and Waylon, (brother) Wes Zunker and wife Jesica and their children, Emma, Mackenzey, Ryan and Ella; Paula Joe’s brother, Greg Gerbig and wife Kate and their children Conrad and Maeve. They are also survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Reece and Paula Joe were preceded in death by Reece’s grandparents, Earl and Frances Achilles as well as Paula Joe’s maternal grandmother, Martha Spear and her paternal grandparents, Lenard Orvin Gerbig and Yvonne Gerbig Mason.
A Celebration of Life will be held on August 4th, 2025, at 2pm at the Schreiner University Events Center, 2100 Memorial Blvd., Kerrville, TX.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Zunker Family Foundation (if sending a check, please include “Zunker Family Foundation” in the memo line.)
Memorials may be given to the Zunker Family Foundation https://nbcommunityfoundation.org/community-betterment/ .
The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the first responders, volunteers, family, and friends that have lovingly supported our family during this difficult time.
