Edward A. Kunz Jr. Dies; Juneau Resident was 84

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Category: Obituaries

Created on Thursday, 01 December 2022 12:55

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Edward Andrew Kunz Jr.

Edward Andrew Kunz Jr. passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022.

Services were held Wednesday evening in Juneau, at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall.

Ed was born in Juneau on Jan. 17, 1938, to Cecilia Kunz and Ed Kunz Sr. He was L’ooknax.ádi, Raven-Coho. He was given the name Seitaan. In 2010, clan leaders and peacemakers asked Ed to become the Hít S’aatí, house master for Daginaa Hít. When he was installed as the house leader, he was given the name Kháa.ítdeidu.áxh. As house master, he spoke for approximately 500 people.

His maternal grandfather was Jake Yarkon, who was known as Yaakwaan, and was a leader of the Kaagwaantaan, a Wolf clan. His maternal great-grandfather was Yeesganaalx, a L’eeneidí leader from the Yaxt’e Hít, the Dipper House.

Ed was a lifelong resident of the Auke Indian Village in downtown Juneau. For years, he assisted his niece in maintaining the Auke Tribe Council building.

 Ed was a good neighbor and greeted other village residents with warmth and fondness.

“Uncle Eddy,” as he was called, was a lifelong devoted member of the Russian Orthodox Church. He also participated in many Salvation Army activities with his wife Percy.

Ed served as chaplain and treasurer for the Southeast Alaska Native Veterans. According to his commander, Ed was “always ready” to pray and had a “good system” with notes in hand; he was known to pray for the veterans’ families and for the mothers of those serving in the military. Ed enlisted in the Alaska Territorial Guard and transitioned to the Alaska National Guard when Alaska became a state.

As a lifetime member of the Alaska Native Brotherhood Camp 2, Ed served as sergeant-at-arms (which involved being a backup corresponding secretary), camp chaplain, camp counsel and a delegate to Grand Camp. At a Grand Camp convention held in Kake, Ed served as a Grand Camp sergeant-at-arms.

Ed was a regular participant in the Thursday Elders Circle. During the pandemic, he took part by Zoom. He regularly was called on to open the meeting with a prayer.

Ed’s knowledge of Tlingit culture and history was respected by many. He was the leader and spokesperson for the Juneau Tlingit Dancers, the dance group every year performed at the Friday Concert in Marine Park. During dance practices, Ed always included the Lord’s Prayer and, in performances the dance group sang “How Great Thou Art.”

For eighteen years, with his wife Percy and niece Micalyne, Ed instructed tourists on the cruise ships and met with students at the University of Alaska Southeast teaching Tlingit culture, foods and medicine. Ed and Percy had a passion for harvesting and putting up Native foods, which they shared generously with others.

In recent years, Ed was a visiting elder in local schools, sharing stories and his artwork. Ed reminded students that “respect is the foundation of Tlingit culture.” Because “our words are like paddles, they can help us move forward together or hurt someone.” Like students, elders must research and practice before sharing their words. He always reminded staff to consult many elders to make sure all perspectives were heard. Ed’s knowledge of Tlingit culture was inspiring, and his humble and approachable manner made him an excellent teacher and mentor.

Ed was a master silver carver. He took great care with his work and his pieces are highly cherished. He carved bracelets and earrings in silver and gold. He carved wooden crests, and assisted in carving and restoring totem poles.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents Celicia and Ed Kunz Sr.; his wife Percy Kunz; brother Dan Kunz Jr.; sisters Lorraine Kunz, Martha Kunz Wesley, and Phyllis Kunz; niece Micalyne McGhee; and stepson Franklin Hyatt Martin.

Ed is survived by his adopted sisters Jan Steinbright, Kay Barrick, Gail Johansen-Peterson, Cathy Munoz, and Mary Ellen Frank; adopted brother Howard Luke; stepdaughters Christine “Sweetie” Martin, Tillie A. Martin, and Larina Baringer; stepson Arthur Martin; niece Nellie Dargon; and many great-nephews and great-nieces, including Alex Coronell, Anthony Kunz, Edward Scharen, Angel Scharen, and Milton Liberty; and Micalyne’s grandchildren Isaac and Alex Jr.; and Nellie’s grandchildren Ed Jr., David, Chanthlos, Jasmine, Ella, Isabel, Tara Lynn and Carriana.

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