James Mark Kuenneth

After struggling with leukemia and ongoing health complications for 20 years, on July 28th, 2022 James Mark Kuenneth passed away in his sleep at the age of 62.

James was born on June 2nd, 1960 to James Charles Kuenneth and Doris Mae Kuenneth in Mount Olive, Illinois. He was raised a Lutheran, and would be baptized and confirmed at Mount Olive’s local Immanuel Lutheran Church and Zion Lutheran Church respectively.  James would attend Mount Olive High School and contribute to both their letter winning baseball and football teams, before graduating in 1978.

James then enlisted into the U.S. Navy on January 27th, 1981. He was stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii for 16 years where he would meet and fall for the love of his life, Lisa Nguyễn Dang. James would go on to marry her on June 23rd, 1994 and they would have their only child Jacob Nguyễn Kuenneth, born on March 17 1997.

After a 20 year career working on nuclear submarines as a nuclear technician, James retired from the Navy on March 31st 2001. He would then move to Southern California with his family where he would live a quiet, peaceful life until his passing.

A viewing will be held at England Family Mortuary, on Saturday, August 6, 2022 from 11:00am-1:00pm. A military performance will take place promptly at 11:30 during the viewing.

Poem: How Did They Live?

Not, how did they die, but how did they live?

Not, what did they gain, but what did they give?

These are the units to measure the worth

Of a person as a person, regardless of birth.

Not, what was their church, nor what was their creed?

But had they befriended those really in need?

Were they ever ready, with a word of good cheer,

To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?

Not, what did the sketch in the newspaper say,

But how many were sorry when they passed away?