Roll Call Tribute

Charles Roger Kunze 

November 9, 1960 - April 12, 2025 

Charles Roger Kunze, 64, of Warda, Texas passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2025, after a long and valiant fight with ALS.

Charles was born in Bryan, Texas on November 9, 1960, the son of Dr. Otto Robert Kunze, Ph.D. and Alice Ruth (Eifert) Kunze. He was baptized into the Christian faith on November 27, 1960, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Bryan. He confessed his faith at his confirmation at Bethel Lutheran Church on April 28, 1974. He was a faithful member of Grace Lutheran Church in Arlington, Texas for 40 years. He was active and served on the Church Board of Directors and the Church Board of Elders. After retirement he joined Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, Texas.

He graduated from A&M Consolidated High School in 1979. He proceeded to Texas A&M University. He earned a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was in the Class of 1983.

Charles was employed at Lockheed Martin-Missile and Fire Control for 17 years in Grand Prairie, Texas. He was the Lead Structures Engineer and the Lead Stress Engineer and the Stress Team Manager for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). His efforts helped win the prestigious 12th annual William T. Perry Strike award. He was also a Lockheed Martin Vought Systems 1999 President’s Performance Award winner.

Charles worked in Houston at NASA for 13 years through Lockheed Martin where he performed structural and stress analysis engineering. He worked on the Orion and Artemis projects.

He enjoyed traveling the U.S. as well as other countries. He was an avid Texas A&M sports fan and attended Aggie football games regularly. He also enjoyed going to Texas Rangers games and attending Houston Astros games. He liked woodworking and tinkering with things. He enjoyed singing in the church choir, music and dancing. He liked to fish and hunt. He enjoyed snow skiing and going to a Caribbean beach.

He is survived by his brother Allen Kunze of College Station, TX and sister, Karen Gerdes and husband, Mark, of Hutto, TX; two aunts and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Otto Kunze, Ph.D. and Alice Kunze. Also, his brother Glenn Kunze.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations. The family will be present to receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will be on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Warda with burial at the Old Holy Cross Lutheran Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 69, Warda, TX 78960; Faith Lutheran High School, P.O. Box 138, Warda, TX 78960; The ALS Association or a charity of one’s choice.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Koenig – Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations, 208 W. Pearl, La Grange, Texas. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com.