Submit a PhotoChris (Buck) Wunderlich III, of Gilbert, AZ passed away on Saturday, September 21, 2024, in Chandler, AZ.
Chris was born in O’Neill, Nebraska on August 3, 1939, to Chris and Geneva (Fox) Wunderlich.
After graduating from Kramer High School in 1957, Chris served in the Air Force for four years and was very proud of his military service.
He then returned to Columbus, Nebraska where he worked for his father’s business, Wunderlich’s Construction. He also formed ABC (Al, Buck, and Chris) Painting with his Uncle Albert Wunderlich and his dad, where he worked for a short period of time.
In 1971, Chris went to work at Mid-American Research Chemical (MARC) where he started out in sales and progressed to Sales Manager. During this time, he and his family lived in Lusk, Wyoming and North Platte, Nebraska before returning to Columbus.
In 1987, Chris and his family moved to Arizona where he studied for and obtained his broker’s license and went to work for A.G. Edwards as an Investment Broker. He was very successful and worked there until retiring in 2005.
Chris married Lavon on August 31, 1962, in Columbus, Nebraska. Chris was a family man and loved his parents, his wife, his daughters, his granddaughters, and great-grandsons very much and enjoyed spending time with them.
Chris enjoyed many sports including running track in high school, golfing, bowling, and watching the Nebraska Cornhuskers play. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. He liked going to the horse races and dog races. He loved playing cards with his family and was a serious poker player, including playing in the World Series of Poker multiple times.
Survivors include his wife, Lavon Wunderlich, his daughter, Diane, and his daughter, Stephanie and son-in-law, Jeremy Smith. Four granddaughters: Brittney (and Brian) Infiesto, Rebecca (and Rob) Pelletier, Madison (and Jacob) Haiman, and Megan Smith. And his great- grandsons: Braxton Infiesto and Drew Pelletier.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Chris and Geneva and his four siblings: Shirley Koch, Kay Eisenmenger, Genene Moore, and Walt Wunderlich.
Celebration of Life with military honors will be held at Gilbert Memorial Park in Gilbert, AZ on Sunday, September 29 at 10:00am.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association.
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Thank you so much. I did not get to spend much
time with Chris living in Colorado. In the time
we shared it was clear that he was a gentle soul.
Just keep hugging each other. The obituary was beautiful Thank you !
Thank you so much Uncle Larry
What a beautiful tribute to your dad. Thank you for sharing about his life. He sounded like a wonderful man and know he’ll be missed greatly by all of you. Sending big hugs.
Thank you Aungie ❤️
Godspeed Chris, my thoughts and prayers are with you my old friend..
Thank you Art. You have been a great friend to my dad. Thank you so much for all of the times you visited him the last two years.
Thank you Art. You were great friends
Our sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all as you navigate this difficult time. Our hearts and prayers are with you.!
Thank you Mark & Liz
My sincere condolences for all the family. Thoughts and prayers sent. ❤️
Thank you Pat
Ron & Chris (Buck) became friends in the first grade and have been best friends thru out their lives. Ron spent many years fishing and hunting with Chris and his Dad and was treated as family. His Dad was the father Ron never had. We have always felt that the Wunderlichs were like family and always will be. May you find comfort in all your memories of a life well lived. We are so very sorry for your loss!
Thank you so much. Love you both
Thank you. Chris always felt like Ron was the first and best friend he ever had. He considered you a friend too Charlotte.
Thank you Ron & Charlotte. Everyone in the family knows who you are because he shared stories of you so often. What a great story of friends for life.
I have lots of great memories of uncle Chris. Hugs and prayers to you all.
Thank you Connie
Chris (Buck) and Ron became friends in first grade and have been best friends thru out their lives. Ron spent many years hunting and fishing with Chris and his Dad. We have always felt the Wunderlichs were like family & always will be. We will miss his kind friendship. May you find comfort in all your memories of a life well lived.